Lantana poisoning of cattle and sheep in New Zealand

The investigation of a field case of Lantana camara poisoning in cattle is reported. Toxicity was confirmed by the experimental dosing of two sheep with dried leaf powder at 6 and 12 mg/kg body weight. Marked cholestatic hepatophy and renal tubular disease resulted. This is the first reported case of toxicity due to grazing a Lantana camara variety grown in New Zealand.     

Comparative potential therapeutic effect of sesame oil and peanut oil against acute monocrotaline (Crotalaria) poisoning in a rat model

Background

Many Crotalaria plant species contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (such as monocrotaline) that can cause acute and chronic poisoning in cattle and other animals.

Hypothesis

Peanut oil, atropine sulfate, and antidiarrheal agents are used to treat acute monocrotaline poisoning. The effect of sesame on acute monocrotaline poisoning has never been investigated.

Animals

Fifty male Sprague‐Dawley rats were used for toxicity studies.

Methods

Experiment 1: Group I, control. Groups II–IV were given monocrotaline (205.2 mg/kg) and euthanized 6, 12, and 24 hours later. Experiment 2: Group I, control. Group II monocrotaline alone (205.2 mg/kg). Groups III–VI were given monocrotaline (205.2 mg/kg) and 1 hour later, Groups III and IV were given sesame oil (1 and 2 mL/kg) and Groups V and VI were given peanut oil (1 and 2 mL/kg).

Results

Monocrotaline significantly decreased (P < .05) serum amylase activity, but, over time, increased (P < .05) pancreatic and lung injury. AST and ALT activity and liver injury peaked at 24 hours. Sesame oil and peanut oil (P < .05) inhibited the changes in all tested parameters in acute monocrotaline poisoning. Although peanut oil inhibited acute monocrotaline poisoning, it induced steatosis, but sesame oil did not.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

We hypothesize that early pancreatic and lung injury and late liver injury contribute to acute monocrotaline poisoning and that sesame oil is more efficacious than peanut oil against acute monocrotaline poisoning in rats. However, additional studies are needed to confirm that these oils have the same effects in cattle and other animals.     

Hearts and flowers: Bryophyllum poisoning of cattle

Findings from natural cases and experiments with cattle emphasise that flowering plants are the most important form of Bryophyllum (Kalanchoe) spp in poisonings in Australia. The main life-threatening lesion is myocardial. The effects on the alimentary tract are less important than was believed previously. B. tubiflorum, B. daigremontianum x B. tubiflorum, B. pinnatum and B. proliferum caused 41 recorded poisoning incidents affecting 379 cattle in Queensland between 1960 and 1984. Poisoning occurred between May and October--the flowering season of these plants. Experimental B. tubiflorum poisoning and natural poisonings produced anorexia, depression, ruminal atony, diarrhoea, heart rate and rhythm abnormalities, dyspnoea and death. Increased plasma concentrations of urea, creatinine and glucose and decreased chloride were measured experimentally. Both natural and experimental cases had myocardial degeneration and necrosis with haemorrhages of the heart and alimentary tract. Cattle with severe dyspnoea had atelectasis and emphysema of the lungs. Some cattle had mild nephrosis. The median lethal doses of B. tubiflorum flowers, roots and leaf plus stem were 0.7, 2.3 and 5.0 g dry matter/kg liveweight respectively (7, 7 and 40 g wet weight/kg). Bufadienolides have been isolated recently from B. tubiflorum flowers and the syndrome is consistent with cardiac glycoside poisoning.     

Emory milkvetch (Astragalus emoryanus var emoryanus) poisoning in chicks, sheep, and cattle.

A severe outbreak of Emory milkvetch poisoning in cattle and sheep occurred near Roswell, New Mexico, in the spring of 1975. Mortality averaged 2% to 3% and morbidity averaged 15% to 20%. Emory milkvetch collected from the infested area contained miserotoxin measured as 5 to 9 mg of NO2/g of plant (dry weight). Chicks fed extracts of Emory milkvetch showed toxic signs when fed one dose as 300 mg of NO2/kg of body weight, and died within 5 to 8 hours when fed milkvetch as 400 mg of NO2/kg. A sheep fed Emory milkvetch for 7 days in the form of 38 mg of NO2/kg/day developed signs of nitro poisoning on the 7th day. Cattle were poisoned or died when fed Emory milkvetch as 12 to 20 mg of NO2/ig for several days. The toxic signs observed in the field and under experimental conditions were similar.     

The efficacy of acetamide for the treatment of experimental Dichapetalum cymosum (gifblaar) poisoning in sheep

High mortality of livestock is caused annually by the plant, Dichapetalum cymosum (gifblaar), in the Northern Transvaal. So far no therapeutic measures have been developed for the prevention or treatment of this poisoning. In this presentation, the efficacy of acetamide as therapy for experimental gifblaar poisoning was tested in 18 sheep. When 2.5-5 g/kg of acetamide was dosed to sheep at various intervals before and sometimes after the administration of 5 g/kg of gifblaar, 1 out of 5 survived, compared with 0 out of 2 controls. Dosing of 2 g/kg of acetamide before and/or simultaneously with or after 1 g/kg gifblaar prevented mortality as 5 out of 5 treated sheep survived compared with none of the 5 controls. The experiments indicate that acetamide has demonstrable therapeutic value as an antidote for the prevention of experimental gifblaar poisoning in sheep. Further investigations should determine the feasibility and applicability of these findings under field conditions in sheep and cattle.     

Reassessment of the toxicity of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) for cattle

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of administering sufficient Hypericum perforatum to cattle to deliver quadruple the reported oral toxic dose. ANIMALS: Thirty-six yearling Hereford (n = 18) and Angus (n = 18) steers. DESIGN: A series of six experiments was conducted, each using 12 animals in a 2 x 2 factorial design, with two breeds of cattle (Hereford, Angus) and two dose levels of hypericin, 1.5 mg/kg (treated group) and 0 mg/kg (control group). Each set of 12 steers was used in duplicate experiments, with all animals alternated between treated and control groups. PROCEDURES: Treated groups received finely milled H. perforatum administered orally in gelatin capsules to provide 1.5 mg hypericin/kg body weight. All cattle were then exposed to direct sunlight for 5 h per day for 5 successive days. Rectal temperatures were measured immediately before and at the end of each sunlight exposure session. Rectal temperature above 40 degrees C, together with some other clinical sign of hypericin poisoning, was considered indicative of intoxication. RESULTS: No animals developed a rectal temperature above 40 degrees C or other clinical signs of hypericin poisoning. CONCLUSIONS: While the reported bovine oral toxic dose of 3 g dried plant/kg body weight, for flowering stage, presumed narrow leaved biotype, H. perforatum, is probably correct, the corresponding dose for hypericin of 0.37 mg/kg is incorrect. Based on its known concentration in this plant the toxic dose of hypericin for partially pigmented Hereford-cross cattle is estimated at about 10.5 mg/kg body weight and more than this for fully pigmented cattle. This would imply that cattle of the former type should be about three and a half times better protected against H. perforatum toxicity than are unpigmented, wool protected, Merino sheep. Cattle, particularly if fully pigmented, may have a role in grazing management to control H. perforatum.     

The clinical,biochemical, haematological and pathological effects of long-term administration of Ipomoea carnea to growing goats

Ipomoea carnea has been held responsible for several poisoning episodes, mainly in goats. This plant contains swainsonine, which inhibits acid or lysosomal -mannosidase enzyme, causing cellular vacuolization. The objective of this study was to evaluate I. carnea toxicosis when four different doses of this plant were fed to growing goats. Twenty-five male goats were divided into five groups, one control group and four experimental groups that received 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 30.0 g of the plant per kg of live weight per day for 4 months. Blood samples were collected for haematological and biochemical determinations and fragments from some tissues were collected for histopathological study. All the experimental goats ingested the plant throughout the trial, presenting nystagmus, muscle tremors, weakness of the hind limbs and ataxia. They also had a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) from the sixth week of the experiment compared to the goats in the control group. There was a significant reduction in haemoglobin concentration in the goats treated with I. carnea. Histopathology revealed degenerative vacuolar alterations in the liver, pancreas, thyroid and kidney cells, and in the neurons of the central nervous system in the animals that received the plant. All these alterations occurred in a dose-dependent manner.     

Effects of age on the pharmacokinetics of single dose ceftiofur sodium administered intramuscularly or intravenously to cattle

The effects of maturation on the intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur sodium following a dose of 2.2 mg ceftiofur equivalents/kg body weight were evaluated in 16 one-day-old Holstein bull calves (33-53 kg body weight initially; Group 1) and 14 six-month-old Holstein steers (217-276 kg body weight initially; Group 2). Group 1 calves were fed unmedicated milk replacer until 30 days of age and were then converted to the same roughage/concentrate diet as Group 2. Groups 1-IV and 2-IV received ceftiofur sodium IV, and Groups 1-IM and 2-IM received ceftiofur sodium IM. Group 1 calves were dosed at 7 days of age and at 1 and 3 months of age; group 2 calves were dosed at 6 and 9 months of age. Blood samples were obtained serially from each calf, and plasma samples were analysed using an HPLC assay that converts ceftiofur and all desfuroylceftiofur metabolites to desfuroylceftiofur acetamide. C_max values were similar in all calves, and were no higher in younger calves than in older calves. Plasma concentrations remained above 0.150 μg ceftiofur free acid equivalents/mL for 72 h in 7-day-old calves, but were less than 0.150 μg/mL within 48 h following IV or IM injection for 6- and 9-month-old calves. Intramuscular bioavailability, assessed by comparing the model-derived area under the curve (AUC_mod) from IM and IV injection at each age, appeared to be complete. After IV administration, the AUC_mod in 7-day-old and 1-month-old calves (126.92±21.1 μg-h/mL and 135.0±21.6 μg.h/mL, respectively) was significantly larger than in 3-, 6- and 9-month-old calves (74.0±10.7 μg.h/mL, 61.0±17.7 μg.h/mL and 68.5±12.8 μg.h/mL, respectively; P< 0.0001). The V_d(ss) decreased linearly within the first 3 months of life in cattle (0.345±0.0616 L/kg, 0.335±0.919 L/kg and 0.284±0.0490 L/kg, respectively; P= 0.031), indicative of the decreasing extracellular fluid volume in maturing cattle. The Cl_b was significantly smaller in 7-day-old and 1-month-old calves (0.0178±0.00325 L/h.kg and 0.0167±0.00310 L/h.kg, respectively) than in 3-, 6- and 9-month-old calves (0.0303±0.0046 L/h.kg, 0.0398±0.0149 L/h.kg and 0.0330±0.00552 L/h.kg, respectively; P≦0.001). This observation may be indicative of maturation of the metabolism and/or excretion processes for ceftiofur and desfuroylceftiofur metabolites. The approved dosage regimens for ceftiofur sodium of 1.1-2.2 mg/kg administered once daily for up to 5 consecutive days will provide plasma concentrations above the MIC for bovine respiratory disease pathogens for a longer period of time in neonatal calves than in older calves. Peak plasma concentrations of ceftiofur and desfuroylceftiofur metabolites were no higher in neonatal calves than in more mature cattle, highly suggestive that peak tissue concentrations would be no higher in neonatal calves than in more mature cattle.     

THE ORAL TOXICITY FOR SHEEP OF TRITERPENE ACIDS ISOLATED FROM LANTANA CAMARA

SUMMARY Toxic Lantana camara taxa growing in Queensland all contain the triterpene acids lantadene A, reduced lantadene A and lantadene B. These when dosed as pure compounds orally to sheep were similarly toxic at 65 to 75, 42 to 80 and 200 to 300 mg/kg body weight respectively, causing jaundice, photosensitisation, kidney and liver lesions typical of natural and experimental lantana poisoning. Because of its comparative toxicity and abundance lantadene A is the most significant toxic principle in the plant. Reduced lantadene A because of its low concentration in the leaves (5% of lantadene A) and lantadene B because of its significantly lower toxicity are thus unlikely to be of much importance in the poisoning of ruminants following consumption of the plant. In addition, the structural features of both lantadene A and B molecules given to sheep by the oral route do not conform to the chemical structures previously reported to be required for liver damaging action of the verbenaceous triterpenes administered to rabbits by the intraperitoneal route.     

Clinical observations of cattle and buffalos with experimentally induced chronic copper poisoning

The susceptibility of cattle and buffalos to chronic copper poisoning (CCP) was compared by using cattle (n = 10) and buffalo (n = 10) steers distributed into two copper supplemented (n = 6) and two control (n = 4) groups. Supplemented animals received 2 mg copper (Cu)/kg body weight daily for one week, with an additional 2 mg weekly until the end of the experiment (day 105). Three liver biopsies (day 0, 45, and 105) were obtained for mineral analyses; clinical examinations and blood samples were obtained every 15 days. Three supplemented cattle and two buffalos with typical manifestations of CCP died. There were no differences in the frequency of mortality between cattle and buffalos; hepatic copper concentration was higher in cattle than buffalos. These findings suggest that buffalos and cattle might be equally susceptible to CCP. However, buffalos accumulate less liver copper than cattle and have a lower threshold of hepatic Cu accumulation, which leads to clinical manifestation of CCP.     

Leather quality of beefalo‐Nellore cattle in different production systems

The aim was to compare the effects of two production systems on performance, carcass traits and physical‐mechanical characteristics of leather from Beefalo‐Nellore steers and heifers and to determine if the response to the production system was similar for both genders. A total of 40 Beefalo‐Nellore cattle, 20 steers and 20 heifers, were evaluated. Animals were divided into two production systems: slaughtered at 15 (intensive system) or 26 (extensive system) months of age. In the intensive system, all animals received a ration containing 600 g/kg corn silage and 400 g/kg concentrate. In the extensive system, animals were kept on a pasture predominantly based on Brachiaria sp. and supplemented with 2 kg/day concentrate. In the intensive system, there was no difference in slaughter weight (470 kg body weight) between steers and heifers but steers in the extensive system had greater slaughter weight than heifers (463 and 428 kg body weight, respectively). Leather weight was higher for animals in the intensive than extensive system but there was no difference in leather weight once excess fat was removed. Leather quality from Beefalo‐Nellore cattle slaughtered at 15 or 26 months of age is similar although carcass yield is higher for cattle slaughtered at a younger age.     

Some Comparative Aspects of the Pharmacokinetics of Tylosin in Buffaloes and Cattle

The pharmacokinetics of tylosin were compared in cattle (Bos taurus) and buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Six animals received each a single dose of 10 mg/kg of tylosin tartrate by the intramuscular route. The serum concentration (C _max) and the volume of distribution (V _d) presented significant differences between the two species. C _max was 0.40 ± 0.046 µg/ml for buffaloes and 0.64 ± 0.068 µg/ml for cattle. V _d was 1.91 ± 0.12 L/kg and 1.33 ± 0.09 L/kg for buffaloes and cattle, respectively. However, as the present study did not show considerable differences in the pharmacokinetics of tylosin in buffaloes and cattle, similar dosage regimes of this drug can be recommended for both species.     

Effects of dietary crude protein and tannic acid on nitrogen excretion,urinary nitrogenous composition and urine nitrous oxide emissions in beef cattle

Two consecutive trials were carried out to study the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) and tannic acid (TA) on nitrogen (N) metabolism of beef cattle and consequently, the N₂O emissions from the urine of cattle. In Trial I, eight growing castrated cattle were used as the experimental animals. Two levels of dietary CP (110.6 and 135.7 g/kg dry matter [DM]) and two levels of TA (0 and 16.9 g/kg DM) were allocated in a replicated 2 × 2 crossover design. In Trial II, the N₂O emissions from the urine of cattle collected from Trial I were determined using the static incubation technique. An interaction between dietary CP and TA on the urinary N excretion (p < .05) was found but not on the N₂O‐N emission of cattle urine. Increasing dietary CP level from 110.6 g/kg DM to 135.7 g/kg DM increased the total N excretion (p < .001), the N retention (p < .05) and the ratio of urinary urea‐N/urinary N (p < .01), did not affect the N use efficiency (NUE; p > .05) and shifted the N excretion from faeces to urine. Increasing the dietary CP level increased the N₂O‐N emission of cattle urine. Dietary addition of TA decreased the urinary excretions of urea (p < .001) and shifted the N excretion from urine to faeces, did not affect the NUE of beef cattle (p > .10), and decreased the N₂O‐N emission of cattle urine. Pyrogallol and resorcinol of the TA metabolites were detected in urine with dietary addition of TA. Feeding beef cattle with relatively low CP level and adding TA in rations are effective approaches to mitigate the N₂O‐N emissions from cattle urine.     

Effects of dietary supplementing tannic acid in the ration of beef cattle on rumen fermentation,methane emission,microbial flora and nutrient digestibility

Four adult Simmental male cattle (376 ± 9.0 kg initial BW), fitted with permanent rumen cannulas, were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of dietary supplementing tannic acid (TA) on rumen fermentation, methane (CH₄) production, rumen microbes, nutrient digestibility and plasma biochemical parameters. Four levels of TA, that is 0, 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg dry matter (DM), were added to the basal ration (composed of corn silage and concentrate mixture) as experimental treatments respectively. Each experimental period consisted of a 12‐day adaptation phase followed by a 3‐day sampling phase. The results showed that supplementing TA at 26.0 g/kg DM decreased the relative abundance of protozoa, methanogens and Ruminococcus albus to the total ruminal bacterial 16S rDNA in beef cattle (p < 0.05). The results also showed that supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased (p < 0.01) the CH₄ production (l/kg DM intake) by 11.1%, 14.7% and 33.6% respectively. Supplementing TA at 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased the ratio of acetate to propionate and ammonia nitrogen (NH₃–N) (p < 0.05) and tended to decrease the total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration of rumen fluid (p = 0.07). Supplementing TA at 26.0 g/kg DM decreased DM and organic matter (OM) digestibility (p < 0.05), supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM decreased (p < 0.01) crude protein (CP) digestibility by 5.0%, 8.6% and 15.7%, respectively, and supplementing TA at 6.5, 13.0 or 26.0 g/kg DM increased (p < 0.05) the plasma total antioxidant capability. It was concluded that supplementing TA in the ration of beef cattle decreased the CH₄ production and digestibility of CP of beef cattle. Supplementing TA could be an effective option to mitigate CH₄ emission form cattle, further research is necessary to study the effects of TA on the performance of cattle.     

Cyanide poisoning in cattle from Dysphania glomulifera (red crumbweed): using the internet for rapid plant identification and diagnostic advice

A 300-strong Angus-Brahman cattle herd near Springsure, central Queensland, was being fed Acacia shirleyi (lancewood) browse during drought and crossed a 5-hectare, previously burnt area with an almost pure growth of Dysphania glomulifera subspecies glomulifera (red crumbweed) on their way to drinking water. Forty cows died of cyanide poisoning over 2 days before further access to the plant was prevented. A digital image of a plant specimen made on a flat-bed scanner and transmitted by email was used to identify D glomulifera. Specific advice on the plant's poisonous properties and management of the case was then provided by email within 2 hours of an initial telephone call by the field veterinarian to the laboratory some 600 km away. The conventional method using physical transport of a pressed dried plant specimen to confirm the identification took 5 days. D glomulifera was identified in the rumen of one of two cows necropsied. The cyanogenic potential of D glomulifera measured 4 days after collection from the site of cattle deaths was 18,600 mg HCN/kg in dry matter. The lethal dose of D glomulifera for a 420 kg cow was estimated as 150 to 190 g wet weight. The plant also contained 4.8% KNO3 equivalent in dry matter, but nitrate-nitrite poisoning was not involved in the deaths.     

青贮甜高粱和全株饲用玉米配比料饲喂西门塔尔肉牛的效果比较

[目的]饲草在肉牛养殖中发挥着重要作用,通过牛体增重对比不同饲草及其配比喂养西门塔尔肉牛效果,以确定较优的青贮甜高粱和全株饲用玉米的配比.[方法]在冬季温室养殖条件下,设计5组配比的青贮甜高粱和全株饲用玉米饲喂西门塔尔肉牛,定期称量牛体增重,并分析各试验组养殖效益.[结果]试验结果显示,青贮甜高粱和全株玉米喂养西门塔尔...     

Pharmacokinetics of tildipirosin in bovine plasma,lung tissue,and bronchial fluid (from live,nonanesthetized cattle)

Menge, M., Rose, M., Bohland, C., Zschiesche, E., Kilp, S., Metz, W., Allan, M., Röpke, R., Nürnberger, M. Pharmacokinetics of tildipirosin in bovine plasma, lung tissue, and bronchial fluid (from live, nonanesthetized cattle). J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.  35 , 550–559. The pharmacokinetics of tildipirosin (Zuprevo^® 180 mg/mL solution for injection for cattle), a novel 16‐membered macrolide for treatment, control, and prevention of bovine respiratory disease, were investigated in studies collecting blood plasma, lung tissue, and in vivo samples of bronchial fluid (BF) from cattle. After single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection at 4 mg/kg body weight, maximum plasma concentration (C_max) was 0.7 μg/mL. T_max was 23 min. Mean residence time from the time of dosing to the time of last measurable concentration (MRT_last) and terminal half‐life (T_1/2) was 6 and 9 days, respectively. A strong dose–response relationship with no significant sex effect was shown for both C_max and area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to the last sampling time with a quantifiable drug concentration (AUC_last) over the range of doses up to 6 mg/kg. Absolute bioavailability was 78.9%. The volume of distribution based on the terminal phase (V_z) was 49.4 L/kg, and the plasma clearance was 144 mL/h/kg. The time–concentration profile of tildipirosin in BF and lung far exceeded those in blood plasma. In lung, tildipirosin concentrations reached 9.2 μg/g at 4 h, peaked at 14.8 μg/g at day 1, and slowly declined to 2.0 μg/g at day 28. In BF, the concentration of tildipirosin reached 1.5 and 3.0 μg/g at 4 and 10 h, maintained a plateau of about 3.5 μg/g between day 1 and 3, and slowly declined to 1.0 at day 21. T_1/2 in lung and BF was approximately 10 and 11 days. Tildipirosin is rapidly and extensively distributed to the respiratory tract followed by slow elimination.     

The therapeutic efficacy and prophylactic activity of doramectin against Dictyocaulus viviparus in cattle

SUMMARY Three groups of 8, 4-month-old male Jersey or Jersey-cross calves were infected with 2400 Dictyocaulus viviparus L₃ larvae and either left untreated or injected subcutaneously with 200 μg/kg doramectin 5 or 25 days after infection (DAI). Lungworms were found in all untreated cattle (geometric mean = 49) at necropsy 39 or 40 DAI. None was found in any of the treated cattle. In a second experiment, groups of 6, 8-month-old calves were untreated or injected with 200 μg/kg doramectin 28, 21 or 14 days before each calf was challenged with 2700 D viviparus larvae. Lungworms were recovered at necropsy 32 to 34 DAI. The geometric mean worm burden in the untreated cattle was 550. This was reduced by 100%, 99.5% and 94.1% in calves treated with doramectin 14, 21 or 28 days, respectively, before infection. It was concluded that doramectin is a highly effective anthelmintic against D viviparus adult or L₄ infections of cattle, and that reinfection of treated cattle will be significantly reduced for at least 28 days after treatment.     

Effect of dietary inclusion of sorghum milling waste on growth response,nutrient utilisation,gut characteristics and cecal microflora of weaner rabbits

Growth response, nutrient digestibility and cecal microflora of 80 male, mixed breed weaner rabbits fed with varying dietary inclusions of sorghum milling waste (SMW) was investigated. Four experimental diets were formulated such that SMW was included at 0 (control), 100, 200 and 300 g/kg, respectively. Each dietary treatment was performed on 20 rabbits. Feed intake increased (P < 0.05) while final live weight and feed conversion ratio of rabbits decreased (P < 0.05) following increased dietary inclusion of SMW. Rabbits fed with 100 and 200 g/kg SMW had similar feed conversion ratios, weight gain, crude fiber, dry matter and crude protein digestibility values. Rabbits fed with 300 g/kg SMW recorded the lowest (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight, dressing percentage and rack weight. Similar dressing percentage and rack weight were recorded for rabbits fed with control diet, 100 and 200 g/kg SMW. The weight of cecal content increased (P < 0.05) with increased dietary inclusion levels of SMW. Rabbits fed with 300 g/kg SMW recorded the lowest (P < 0.05) coliform and lactobaccillus counts. Dietary inclusion of up to 200 g/kg SMW supported improved growth response and carcass yield without imposing any detrimental effect on cecal microflora.     

Effect of a single dry season anthelmintic treatment of N'Dama cattle on communal pastures in The Gambia

The effect of a single anthelmintic treatment of cattle during the early dry season was studied. One hundred and sixty-six N'Dama cattle, 1–3 years old, were selected from five herds. There were 65 males and 101 females divided into two groups of 83 animals each. One group was treated with fenbendazole at 7.5 mg/kg body weight by mouth in November 1992; the other group remained as the untreated control. At monthly intervals from November 1992 to April 1993, each animal was weighed and the number of eggs/g of faeces (epg) was determined. The infective larvae (L3) were examined following culture of pooled samples from each group of animals. In April 1993, 6 animals (3 treated and 3 controls) from the herds under study were necropsied. The difference in the weight gains (4.6 kg) of the two groups was highly significant (p<0.0001). The difference in the weight gains and the epg between the treated and control groups was influenced by the age of the animals. Of the treated animals, one contained no nematodes, one contained only 25Oesophagostomum radiatum, and the third contained 25Cooperia L4. The three untreated animals were all infected. It was concluded that the treatment in early dry season, with an anthelmintic effective against both adults and larvae, led to a significant reduction in egg counts, to elimination of adults and hypobiotic larvae and, consequently, to an increase in the body weight gain by the treated animals.