title: Effects of giardiasis on production in a domestic ruminant (lamb) model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of giardiasis on production and carcass quality, using growing lambs as a domestic ruminant model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized block.
  
  
  METHODS
  Giardia-free lambs: 23 in infected group, 24 in control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six-week-old, specific-pathogen-free lambs were infected with Giardia trophozoites; control lambs received saline solution. Clinical signs of infection, body weight, and feed intake were determined for 10 weeks. Carcass weight and quality were determined at slaughter weight of 45 kg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Giardia infection persisted from weeks 7 to 16. For 5 weeks after challenge exposure, abnormal feces were more frequently observed in infected lambs. Giardia infection was associated with a decrease in rate of weight gain and impairment in feed efficiency. Time to reach slaughter weight was extended in infected lambs, and the carcass weight of Giardia-infected lambs was lower than that of control lambs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Giardiasis has a negative effect on domestic ruminant production.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Giardiasis in domestic ruminants is an economically important disease, thus necessitating control or elimination of the infection.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Research Group, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deselliers
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Morck
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Buret
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ceri
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D012016:Reference Values; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases; D015430:Weight Gain