title: Effect of selective anthelmintic treatments on health and production parameters in Pelibuey ewes during lactation.
abstract: A study was conducted from December to April 2013, with the aim of evaluating a system of selective antiparasitic treatments using the FAMACHA© color chart compared with a conventional suppressive deworming system every 30 days in Pelibuey ewes during lactation. For the study, 54 ewes were used. They were randomly divided into two groups: FAMACHA and chemical treatments. The ewes in the first group received selective treatment depending on the ocular mucosa coloration (FAMACHA) and body condition score (BCS), while in the second group (chemical) all the animals remained under routine deworming every 30 days. Fecal nematode egg counts, proportion of third-stage trichostrongylid larvae, body condition, coloration of the ocular mucosa, and packed cell volume in the ewes were determined, while in lambs only body weight (BW) was recorded. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in any of the studied variables between groups; however, the use of antiparasitic drugs was reduced during the experimental period in the FAMACHA group and no deaths of lambs or ewes were recorded. The results indicate that during the lactation of ewes, a strategy of selective treatments can be implemented without showing deterioration in major health and productive parameters of these animals.
authors.affiliation: Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes "Indio Hatuey", Universidad de Matanzas, Central España Republicana, Matanzas, Cuba. arece@ihatuey.cu.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arece-García
authors.affiliation: Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes "Indio Hatuey", Universidad de Matanzas, Central España Republicana, Matanzas, Cuba.
authors.forename: Yoel
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: López-Leyva
authors.affiliation: Unidad Regional Universitaria Sursureste, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Teapa, Tabasco, Mexico.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: González-Garduño
authors.affiliation: Programa de Ganadería, Colegio de Postgraduados, Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Glafiro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torres-Hernández
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario UAEM Temascaltepec, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Temascaltepec, Estado de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rojo-Rubio
authors.affiliation: Unité de Recherches Zootechniques, INRA Antilles Guyane, Domaine de Duclos Prise d'Eau, 97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe.
authors.forename: Carine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marie-Magdeleine
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight; D003462:Cuba; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D006188:Haemonchiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D007774:Lactation; D012756:Sheep / Q000254:growth & development; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics
keywords: Antiparasitic drug; FAMACHA©; Haemonchus contortus; Nematode control; Packed cell volume; Pelibuey