Parasitological study on cows during lactation in western Santa Catarina, Brazil

Pasetti, MaximilianoSchafer Da Silva, AleksandroJosé Simioni, FlávioLuis de Lima, HorácioBattiston, JozianeMoura Stefani, Lenita

Background: The milk production chain is an important component of the agribusiness in Western Santa Catarina, Brazil. However, this activity is facing problems regarding health of the herd that are often diffi cult to control because they can be caused by different etiologic agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. The damage caused by endoparasites may occur directly and indirectly, refl ecting on weight gain, milk production, expenses with antiparasitic drugs, and mortality of untreated animals. To minimize these losses, all properties should implement a strategic program to monitor the herd. As a result, the objective of this study was to monitor dairy cattle properties from the West of Santa Catarina, by collecting information about the herd and parasitological stool examinations.Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted on farms from 12 cities of the Western region of Santa Catarina state during the months of November and December of 2010 and January and February of 2011 (summer). The study included 23 properties that have part of their farm income from dairy cattle activity; these animals had not been treated with anti-parasitic for at least 30 days. To assist research, a questionnaire was given to the farmers. For parasitological examination, fecal material was collected from at least 20% of the herd up to 100%, that is, was standardized t

1. helminths
2. parasite control
3. diagnosis
4. treatment
5. lactation
6. dairy cattle