Incidence of Toxocara vitulorum in Creole calves of Guadeloupe

The 247 calves from 112 Creole cows of Guadeloupe were monitored for Toxocara vitulorum infection from year 2002 to 2005. The cows were in good body condition and the calf growth rate was 880g/d on average. The overall prevalence of infection was estimated to 0.77 [0.72; 0.83]. The faecal egg count peaked 49 days after calf birth, and then decreased. No clinical symptom related to T. vitulorum infection was observed, and no effect on the calf growth rate was shown. It was concluded that, despite the high prevalence of T. vitulorum, the production loss remains under the level of detection, and no drenching is needed for well-fed animals.