Survey of helminth infections in Maine dairy cattle
Yazwinski, T.A.; Gibbs, H.C.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 36(11): 1677-1682
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 127538 Document Number: 90717
Approximately equal groups of calves, heifers, and cows from 13 dairy farms, managerially and geographically representative of dairying in the state, were sampled at regular two-month intervals over the year. Of the 94 adult cows, 78 heifers, and 91 calves sampled continuously in the course of the survey, 95.7%, 98.7% and 96.7%, respectively, were strongylorid positive (infected with Ostertagia, Cooperia, Trichostrongylus, Haemonchus, and Oesophagostomum), with an overall incidence of 97%. Strongyloides papillosus eggs were in 64.6% of the cattle, Bunostomum in 40.3%, Nematodirus in 27.8%, Trichuris in 27.0%, Capillaria in 9.5%, Moniezia in 25.1% and Dictyocaulus viviparus larvae in 2.7%. The greatest worm burdens were in the calves, followed by the heifers and the cows. Strongylorid egg production was highest in the May-June sampling period, decreasing in all groups of cattle to the lowest point during the winter period of January-February. This pattern of egg production was similar to that reported by workers in other parts of the world. Those herds classed as poorly managed had significantly higher levels of parasitism in young animals than those classed as having fair or good management.