Evaluation of three strategic anthelmintic programmes for the prophylaxis of parasitic gastroenteritis in cattle in Nigeria.

Three strategic anthelmintic programmes were evaluated for use in the prophylaxis of parasitic gastroenteritis in naturally infected N'Dama cattle aged 12 to 21 months at Nsukka, eastern Nigeria. Four groups A, B, C and D were used which grazed together and each consisted of seven animals. Group A was treated in April, July, August and December. Group B was dosed in April, August and December and Group C in July, August and September. Group D received no treatments. All three treatment programmes substantially reduced pasture contamination while programmes A and B also resulted in significantly improved weight gains. The potential net profit from the three programmes was 38 X 0 Naira, 33 X 10 Naira and 24 X 74 Naira per head respectively. The early dry season (December) treatment in Groups A and B contributed relatively little to their overall performance but would have minimised the carryover of infection to the following wet season.