Studies on Haemonchus contortus. V. Chemoprophylaxis and its effect on worm egg counts and the haematocrit.

A group of 12 10-month-old, worm-free Merino lambs were given a single injection of disophenol at 10 mg/kg. This group and another group of 12 worm-free lambs were infested with infective larvae of Haemonchus contortus 1-3 times a week with a maximum dose of 4000/week from 0-91 days. From 95-168 days the dose was increased to a maximum of 6000/week. Every 7 days faeces were examined for worm eggs and blood samples for haematocrit (Ht). Worm egg counts in the controls rose from 21-56 days, fluctuated, and rose to another peak at 84 days, while the Ht fell from 28 days to rise again after 105 days. In the group treated with disophenol egg counts were negative until 161 days and Ht remained at normal values throughout.