Incidence of Haemonchus spp. and effect on haematocrit and eye colour in goats farmed under resource-poor conditions in South Africa
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-3-2002
Abstract
The diversity and predominance of nematode genera in goats of resource-poor farmers at Rust de Winter, Gauteng Province, Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal Province, and Kraaipan, North-West Province, South Africa, was determined by means of a longitudinal study of the nematode faecal egg counts (FECs) and differential third-stage nematode larvae. The animals were bled for haematocrit determination and scored for pallor of ocular mucous membranes using the FAMACHA© method, an assay for clinical evaluation of anaemia caused by Haemonchus spp. Animals considered to be in danger of dying from anaemia caused by haemonchosis were selectively treated with an anthelmintic. Lower haematocrit values were registered during periods of heavier Haemonchus infection, which occurred from December/January to March for Rust de Winter; from December to March/April for Impendle; and from November/December to February or April for Kraaipan. There was agreement too between the lower haematocrits and paler mucous membranes scored according to the FAMACHA© method. The use of this system may be recommended as part of an integrated approach to worm control in goats kept in the resource-poor areas studied. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Veterinary Parasitology
First Page
119
Last Page
131
Recommended Citation
Vatta, A., Krecek, R., Letty, B., Van der Linde, M., Grimbeek, R., De Villiers, J., Motswatswe, P., Molebiemang, G., Boshoff, H., & Hansen, J. (2002). Incidence of Haemonchus spp. and effect on haematocrit and eye colour in goats farmed under resource-poor conditions in South Africa. Veterinary Parasitology, 103 (1-2), 119-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4017(01)00586-6