Abstract

SOCA-PEREZ, Mildrey et al. Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in grazing cows during the dry season. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2016, vol.39, n.4, pp.281-285. ISSN 0864-0394.

A study was conducted in a dairy farm of the Jovellanos municipality, Matanzas province, Cuba, in order to evaluate the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in grazing cows during the dry season. For such purpose, 100 % of the animals of the Crossbred Siboney breed belonging to the milking group, with an age between 5 and 7 years, lactation between 90 and 114 days, and average weight of 390 kg, were used. The animals were distributed in three groups depending on their body condition: BC-2,5; BC-3 and BC-3,5. After the initial diagnosis to determine the level of infestation by F. hepatica, the animals were dewormed with Labiozol®. Monthly samplings of feces were performed to determine the parasite rate of F. hepatica (FEC); in addition, the live weight, body condition and individual milk production of the animals, were determined. The prevalence of the parasite in the dairy herd was higher in February and March, with 58,3 and 62,5 % of positive animals, respectively. The highest percentages corresponded to the animals with the lowest body condition, which showed higher FEC (14,1 epg) and reached the lowest production for the period, with significant differences (p< 0,05) from the animals of groups BC-3 and BC-3,5. It is concluded that the prevalence of F. hepatica in the farm exceeded 50 % during the dry season; the group with the lowest body condition was the one with the highest parasite rate, and also had the lowest milk production.

Keywords : body condition; Fasciolosis; milk production.

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