Effect of fenbendazole molasses supplement block treatment on nematode infection and subsequent weight gain of weanling beef calves.
Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of fenbendazole molasses supplement block treatment on weight gain of weanling beef calves. An initial (November) oral fenbendazole (5 mg kg-1) treatment was administered to all animals in both trials. In Trials 1 and 2, respectively, two fenbendazole molasses supplement block treatments were administered 6 (6.4 mg kg-1) and 16 (7.0 mg kg-1) weeks later and 7 (3.4 mg kg-1) and 14 (3.8 mg kg-1) weeks later. During the treatment periods, calves were maintained on dormant bermuda grass pasture, supplemented with hay and protein/mineral blocks. The first block treatment was administered approximately midway through the supplement period to suppress the infection level when nutrition was marginal. The second treatment was administered just prior to ryegrass grazing. Trial 1 and 2 treatments resulted in reducing the infection level, as indicated by reduced mean fecal egg counts. Treatment group mean fecal egg counts remained lower than control group mean counts throughout each trial. In Trial 1, the treatment group gained 29.5 kg more than the control group. In Trial 2, the control group gained 15.5 kg more than the treatment group. Fecal egg count data indicated that the infection level during Trial 1 was higher than during Trial 2. This difference could influence weight gain.
Miller
J E
JE
Department of Animal Science, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge 70803.
Olson
T A
TA
Kearney
M T
MT
Myers
G H
GH
Williams
J C
JC
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005273:Fenbendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005527:Food, Fortified; D008297:Male; D008965:Molasses; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D012621:Seasons; D015430:Weight Gain
D005273:Fenbendazole