Novel Methods for Sustainable Control of Gastrointestional Nematodes in Small Ruminants

Novel Methods for Sustainable Control of Gastrointestional Nematodes in Small Ruminants

Summary

In year 3 of the project, FAMACHA validation work continued with testing of farmer adoption of the technology in Puerto Rico, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. After completion of FAMACHA workshop training, producers applied the technology on 3 sheep and 4 goat farms from approximately April-October, 2004, collecting FAMACHA data biweekly, with monthly blood samples taken for packed cell volume (PCV) to validate the FAMACHA data. In addition, 44 FAMACHA workshops were given throughout the southeastern US and Puerto Rico, 15 by members of the Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (SCSRPC; SARE project team), and 29 by other individuals trained by SCSRCP members. Confinement trials with goats and sheep fed sericea lespedeza hay compared with bermudagrass hay to control parasitic nematodes were completed. There was a reduction in fecal egg count (FEC) by approximately 80% for animals fed the sericea hay in each trial, and reduced development of parasite larvae in fecal pellets. Appropriate dosage of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) fed to sheep to control Haemonchus contortus was tested in 2 trials. In one trial, doses from 2 to 6 g removed over 90% of the worms, while doses down to 0.5 g Cu in a second experiment controlled the worms for approximately 4 weeks. A dose tritration trial with goats given 0, 5, 10 g COWP was initiated in Fall, 2004, and completed in early 2005, but the results have not been analyzed. Several manuscripts from the work were published in 2004, and a number of presentations made at national and international meetings.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. Bring about immediate improvement in GIN control and subsequent productivity in small ruminant operations in the southern US and the US Virgin Islands by disseminating to producers and extension agents current knowledge and technology.

2. Investigate and implement the use of novel non-chemical approaches in integrated, sustainable strategies for control of GIN in small ruminants.

3. Determine the economic impact on the small ruminant industry of uncontrolled multi-drug resistant GIN.

Accomplishments/Milestones

-Approximately 2,200 FAMACHA cards sold
-44 FAMACHA workshops given, 15 by Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (SCSRPC) members, 29 by others (most of whom were trained by an SCSRPC member)
-On-farm validation of FAMACHA on 4 goat and 3 sheep farms
-Dose titration and low-dose copper oxide wire particle (COWP) trials completed with sheep with effective control of Haemonchus contortus for approximately 1 month, COWP dose titration trial with goats initiated.
-Sericea lespedeza hay feeding trials with sheep and goats completed with approximately 80% reduction in fecal egg counts.

Publications Relating to Parasite Control in Small Ruminants

Refereed Journal Articles

Terrill, T.H., M. Larsen, O. Samples, S. Husted, J.E. Miller, R.M. Kaplan, and S. Gelaye. 2004. Capability of the nematode-trapping fungus Duddingtonia flagrans to reduce infective larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes in goat feces in the southeastern United States: dose titration and dose time interval studies. Veterinary Parasitology 120:285-296.

Shaik, S.A., T.H. Terrill, J.E. Miller, B. Kouakou, G. Kannan, R.K. Kallu, and J.A. Mosjidis. 2004. Effects of feeding sericea lespedeza hay to goats infected with Haemonchus contortus. South African Journal of Animal Science 34 (Supplement 1): 234-236.

Burke, J.M., J.E. Miller, D.D. Olcott, B.M.Olcott, and T.H. Terrill. 2004. Effect of copper oxide wire particles dosage and feed supplement level on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs. Veterinary Parasitology 123:235-243.

Kaplan, R.M., J.M. Burke, T.H. Terrill, J.E. Miller, W.R. Getz, S. Mobini, E. Valencia, M.J. Williams, L.H.Williamson, M. Larsen, and A.F. Vatta. 2004. Validation of the FAMACHA© eye color chart for detecting clinical anemia in sheep and goats on farms in the southern United States. Veterinary Parasitology 123:105-120.

Kaplan, R.M. 2004. Drug resistance in nematodes of veterinary importance: a status report. Trends in Parasitology 20(10): 477-481.

Burke, J.M., J.E. Miller, M. Larsen, and T.H. Terrill. 2004. Interaction between copper oxide wire particles and Duddingtonia flagrans in lambs. Veterinary Parasitology (In review).

Burke, J.M., J.E. Miller, and D.K. Brauer. 2004. The effectiveness of copper oxide wire particles as an anthelmintic in pregnant ewes and safety to offspring. Veterinary Parasitology (In review).

Conference Proceedings:

Burke, J.M., and J.E. Miller. Effects of grazing endophyte-infected or novel endophyte-infected tall fescue on gastro-intestinal nematodes in sheep and cattle. 5th International Symposium on Neotyphodium/Grass Interactions 2004; no. 413.

Kaplan, R.M., “Responding To The Emergence of Multiple-Drug Resistant Haemonchus contortus: Smart Drenching and FAMACHA®”, in Proceedings of the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association 2004 Food Animal Conference, Tifton Bull Evaluation Center, Irwinville, Georgia, March 6 – 7, 2004.

Kaplan, R.M. “Parasites, Their Resistances and Alternate Methods”, in Proceedings of the 7th World Sheep and Wool Congress, Quebec, Canada, July 17-24, 2004.

Kaplan, R.M., “Responding To The Emergence of Multiple-Drug Resistant Haemonchus contortus: Smart Drenching and FAMACHA®”, in Proceedings of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association/31st Annual Mid-America Veterinary Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, October 8 10, 2004.

Magazines and Newsletters:

Kaplan, R.M., “Parasite control: A new way of thinking”, Goat Rancher, June 2004, pp. 11-21.

Kaplan, R.M., “Responding To The Emergence of Multiple-Drug Resistant Haemonchus contortus: Smart Drenching and FAMACHA®,” Icelandic Sheep Breeders of North America Newsletter, Summer 2004, Vol. 8(3), pp. 18-23.

Terrill, T.H. 2004. Nematode wars: FVSU assembles parasite control team. p. 1-2. In Georgia Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center Newsletter, Winter 2004.

Presentations Given Relating to Parasite Control in Small Ruminants

Scientific Conferences:

Shaik, S.A., T.H. Terrill, J.E. Miller, B. Kouakou, G. Kannan, R.K. Kallu, and J.A. Mosjidis. “Effects of feeding sericea lespedeza hay to goats infected with Haemonchus contortus”, 8th International Conference on Goats, July 3-9, 2004, Pretoria, South Africa.

Kaplan, R.M., J. Neiss, L.H. Williamson, and T.H. Terrill, “Moxidectin resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of goats in Georgia”, American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, 49th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA July 24-28, 2004.

Miller, J.E., J.M. Burke, D.D. Olcott, B.M. Olcott, and T.H. Terrill. “Effect of copper oxide wire particle dosage on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs” American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, 49th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA July 24-28, 2004.

Terrill, T.H., J.E. Miller, R.M. Kaplan, M. Larsen, R.A. Kircher, O.M. Samples, and S. Galaye, “Epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats in Georgia”, American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, 49th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA July 24-28, 2004.

Shaik, S., T.H. Terrill, J.E. Miller, B. Kouakou, G. Kannan, R. Kallu, and J.A. Mosjidis. 2004. “Effects of feeding sericea lespedeza hay on goats infected with Haemonchus contortus.”, American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists, 49th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA July 24-28, 2004.

Crawford, K., and R.M. Kaplan, “Allele-specific PCR for determining levels of drug resistant worms within hosts,” Summer Undergraduate Research Program, Oral and Poster Research Presentations, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, August 2, 2004.

Veterinary Continuing Education and Producer Meetings:

Kaplan, R.M., “Emerging issues and new concepts for nematode control in small ruminants”, Georgia Extension Agent Winter School, Rock Eagle 4-H Complex, Eatonton GA, January 21, 2004.

Kaplan, R.M. “Responding to the emergence of multiple-drug resistant Haemonchus contortus: smart drenching and FAMACHA”, Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, Food Animal Conference and Wet Labs, Tifton Bull Evaluation Center, Irwinville, Georgia, March 6, 2004.

Kaplan, R.M. “Understanding Drug Resistance and What This Means for the Future of Parasite Control in Goats”, Meeting of the Northeast Georgia Goat Producers Association, Gainesville, Georgia, March 9, 2004.

Kaplan, R.M. “New Concepts for Parasite Control in Goats: Smart Drenching and FAMACHA” (Keynote Speaker) Tuskegee University Goat Day 2004, Kellogg Conference Center, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama, April 24, 2004.

Kaplan, R.M., “Responding to the emergence of multiple-drug resistant Haemonchus contortus: smart drenching and FAMACHA,” 93rd Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association/31st Annual Mid-America Veterinary Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, October 8 10, 2004.

Terrill, T.H., “Condensed tannins: Potential as a tool for controlling parasitic worms in small ruminants” during Parasitology Workshops at Alemaya and Debub Universities, Ethiopia, February 15-March 8, 2004.

Terrill, T.H., “General guidelines for the use of the FAMACHA system in goats” during Parasitology Workshops at Alemaya and Debub Universities, Ethiopia, February 15-March 8, 2004.

Invited International Presentations:

Kaplan, R.M. “Parasites, Their Resistances and Alternate Methods”, 7th World Sheep and Wool Congress, Quebec, Canada, July 17-24, 2004.
Kaplan, R.M., “Anthelmintic Resistance in the United States: A Snapshot in 2004”, BBSRC International Workshop: Anthelmintic resistance in veterinary parasites – what is the best way forward?, University of Bath, Bath, UK, February 1-3, 2004.

Kaplan, R.M., “Anthelmintic Resistance: Concepts, Risks and Realities”, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK, February 5, 2004

Kaplan, R.M., “Emerging issues and new concepts for nematode parasite control in small ruminants”, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, February 20, 2004.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

1)FAMACHA workshops and sale of cards has greatly increased the on-farm use of this technology, with savings in anthelmintic costs through reduced number of dewormings.

2)Data from copper oxide wire particle trials have demonstrated this technology to effectively control Haemonchus contortus in sheep.

3)Research with sericea lespedeza hay has shown the sun-dried form of this plant to effectively reduce parasite infection in both sheep and goats.

4)Preliminary analysis of producer use of FAMACHA has shown excellent correlation with anemia as measured by packed cell volume.

Collaborators: