Field studies of the immunisation of lambs with drug-abbreviated infections of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Ostertagia circumcincta

Authors: Hadas E, Stankiewicz M
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 44, Issue 5, pp 182-184, Oct 1996
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Anthelmintics, Parasite control, Parasites - internal, Joint/arthrology, Disease/defect, Immune system/immunology, Locomotor, Nematode, Treatment/therapy
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Fifty, 5-6 month-old lambs were randomly allocated to five equal groups. Three groups of lambs were immunised by three oxfendazole-abbreviated (artificial) infections of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Ostertagia circutncincta. Group 1 was immunised with a high dose of larvae, Group 2 with a medium dose and Group 3 with a low dose. A fourth group was treated with oxfendazole only and a fifth group was not treated (control). All groups were grazed together on pasture naturally contaminated with nematode larvae. Immunisation significantly reduced the number of eggs per gram of faeces in all three groups, but the lowest faecal egg count was seen in Group 3 (immunised with the lowest number of larvae). Significantly better liveweight gains and wool weight were observed in Group 2 animals than in the control group. Of all anthelmintic-treated animals, only Group 1 lambs did not have a signscantly lower dag weight than controls.

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