Prevention and control of parasitic diseases in large ruminants during monsoon
Dr. Pratistha Shrivastava
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Veterinary Parasitology, Institute of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, SOADU, Bhubaneswar Odisha.
Mail id : shrivastavapratistha25@gmail.com
Dairy animals have a risk of exposure to parasites and other infections that is twice as high during the monsoon compared to other seasons. The high moisture content in the air enables harmful parasites to thrive, resulting in the transmission of several diseases. This season provides an optimum environment for the survival of vectors and intermediate host which are responsible for the transmission of various parasitic diseases. Conditions such as Babesiosis, Theileriosis, Fasciolosis, Amphistomosis etc are linked to weather-related factors.
Parasites such as flies, lice, mites, or worms can negatively impact cattle health and performance. Developing and implementing a parasite control program can help minimize these effects. Below are some details about non-chemical control strategies available to producers.
- Before and during onset of rainy season animals should be dewormed against various internal parasites.
- Regular spray of insecticides in the animal shed to control the external parasites.
- Clean cow dung, left-over feed and urine very frequently to prevent infestation of flies.
- Maintaining animals in good body conditionand providing a diet that meets all nutritional requirements is the most effective way to reduce the impact of both internal and external parasites.
- Overcrowdingis another significant risk factor. External parasites (ticks, mites) are more likely to spread when animals are in close proximity.
- Stocking densityalso influences internal parasite loads. Worms are picked up by animals as they graze on pasture. Overcrowding results in more manure buildup, increasing pasture contamination with infective worm larvae.
- Pasture managementis crucial for internal parasite control. Besides lowering stocking density, pasture rotation is an effective tool. Most infective larvae are found on the lower part of plants, near the ground. Moving animals before they graze below this point limits exposure. Additionally, if pastures are grazed more than once a season, consider the grazing sequence: grazing younger animals first followed by older ones preserves cleaner pastures for the more susceptible young animals. Larvae complete their lifecycle only when ingested by an animal, where they develop into adults and reproduce. While some larvae may survive in the subsoil, their numbers are greatly reduced during rest periods.
- Grazing a different species, such as sheep, after cattle can reduce cattle parasites on the pasture, as cattle-adapted worms do not thrive as well in other ruminants and vice versa.
- Geneticsalso play a role in parasite susceptibility. It is generally accepted that 20% of animals in a group harbor 80% of the parasites, and genetics may contribute to this. The goal is to identify and cull these individuals from the herd. Although current tools make this challenging, advancing technology may soon make it more feasible.
- Consult with your veterinarian to develop a comprehensive parasite control program tailored to your operation’s specific needs and circumstances.
ECTOPARASITES ENDOPARASITES DEWORMING
