The Strategic Use Of Closantel And Albendazole In Controlling Naturally Acquired Gastrointestinal Nematodes Of Sheep In The Kenya Highlands
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Date
1997Author
Maingi, N
Gichohi, V.M
Munyua, W K
Gathuma, J M
Thamsborg, SM
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The strategic use of closantel, a narrow-spectrum salicylanilide anthelmintic against bloodsucking
helminths, and of albendazole, a broad-spectrum benzimidazole anthelmintic, in the control of
gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep was investigated on a farm in Nyandarua District in the highlands
of Kenya. Thirty Corriedale female lambs aged between 9 and 12 months were assigned to three
treatment groups of 10 lambs each. The three groups were set stocked on separate paddocks for 12
months. Lambs in group 1 (strategic treatment group) were treated with closantel and albendazole at
the beginning and towards the end of the long rains (April and June, respectively) and towards the end
of the short rains (December). During the intervening dry season, the lambs were treated with
albendazole. Lambs in group 2 (suppressive treatment group) were kept `worm free' by regular
deworming with albendazole at 3-weekly intervals for 12 months. The third group of lambs remained
untreated (control group). Gastrointestinal nematode infections and pasture infectivity were well
controlled in the case of the strategic treatment group. This resulted in higher weight gains, wool
production, packed cell volume, and serum albumin and protein concentrations compared with the
untreated control lambs. These parameters were comparable between the strategic treatment and the
suppressive treatment groups of lambs. It was concluded that worm control strategies based on the
epidemiology of the parasites and the sustained anthelmintic action of closantel in combination with
broad-spectrum anthelmintics can provide effective control of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep in
the study area.
Citation
Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (1997) 547-557Publisher
University of Nairobi. Department of veterinary Pathology, microbiology & parasitology Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University