Anthelmintic treatment of dairy cows
Pouplard, L.
Veterinary Record 103(19): 434
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 741602 Document Number: 128630
In trials in Belgium in 1975, 106 dairy cows treated with thiabendazole at or during the 3 days after parturition yielded an average of 3659 kg of milk during a 305-day lactation period compared to 3260 kg in 84 untreated controls. Butter production was 128 and 115 kg, respectively. 47 of the treated cows were first-calf-heifers and they yielded 4113 kg milk and 143 kg butter (3039 and 106 kg respectively in 23 controls). Routine examination of cow abomasa in a Belgian abattoir often revealed tens of thousands of worms, mostly immature or not egg-laying. A simple anthelmintic treatment may give a milk yield advantage of 12%. Administration on the day of parturition gives the best results. In an experiment conducted on 12 farms in Belgium in 1975, 24 of 47 heifers and 82 of 143 cows were treated with thiabendazole at calving or during the 3 days after calving. 305-day lactation yields of milk were 3659 and 3260 kg for treated and untreated cows and 4113 and 3039 kg for treated and untreated heifers resp. Corresponding milk fat yields were 128 and 115 kg, and 143 and 106 kg resp. Administration of the drug on the same day as calving led to the best results in terms of milk production. In an experiment conducted on 12 farms in Belgium in 1975, 24 of 47 heifers and 82 of 143 cows were treated with thiabendazole at calving or during the 3 days after calving. 305-day lactation yields of milk were 3659 and 3260 kg for treated and untreated cows and 4113 and 3039 kg for treated and untreated heifers resp. Corresponding milk fat yields were 128 and 115 kg, and 143 and 106 kg resp. Administration of the drug on the same day as calving led to the best results in terms of milk production.