Parasitic problem is a major constraint of ruminant production and causes great economic losses to dairy industry by retarded growth, low productivity and increased susceptibility of animals to other infections. The parasitic infections cause productivity losses through reduced feed intake and decreased feed efficiency. Even subclinical or chronic infections are responsible for economic losses in large ruminants.
Hypothesis of the study was that administration of anthelmintics will improve weight gain in infected buffalo heifers.
One hundred faecal samples of buffalo heifers of age 1-2 years were screened and 58 were found positive for gastrointestinal nematodes. The species of nematodes found prevalent in these animals were Trichostrongylus, Oesophogostomum, Haemonchus, Toxocara, Trichuris and Ostertagia. Thirty buffalo heifers with high EPG were selected and divided into 3 equals groups A, B and C. In this study Group A was a positive control group. Group B was administered Ivermactin (Bomectin) pour on at the dose rate of 1ml / 20 kg body weight. Group C was administered Oxfendazole (Systamex) orally at the dose rate of 1ml/ 10 kg body weight. The effect of these anthelmintics on EPG and weight gain were recorded after every 15 days. This study period was of 90 days (3 months) duration.
There was increases in the EPG of positive control group and percent increases was 7.10%, 10.65%, 18.10%, 30.17%, 33.72%, 46.15% at days 15, 30, 45, 60, 75and 90. The percentage decrease in EPG for the group B was 98.22%, 97.04%, 91.12%, 77.51%, 60.94%, 46.74% at days 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 post treatment and the percentage decrease in EPG for the Group C was 95.80%, 92.81%, 88.62%, 71.85%, 58.68%, 26.34% at days 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 post treatment. Both anthelmintics cause significant reduction in epg medicated animals as compared to non-medicated animals. There was no difference in the two anthelmintics. The average weight gain per day for Group A (Positive Control) is 0.17 kg per day, for Group B (Ivermectin) is 0.44 kg per day and for Group C (Oxfendazol) was 0.4 kg per day. This shows significant difference between treated groups with non-treated group but there was no difference between the treated groups.
It is concluded that ivermectin and oxefendazol can be used for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes. It is recommended that animals may be moved to clean facility after treatment so they are not reinfected. Repeated treatment is suggested to maintain the EPG at low level.
Suggestions of the present study are
1. Monitoring of animals for gastrointestinal nematodes by modified McMaster Egg Counting technique.
2. Regular deworming
3. Improved management