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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Booneville, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #245299
Title: Administration of copper oxide wire particles in a capsule or feed for gastrointestinal nematode control in goats

Author
item Burke, Joan
item SOLI, F - Fort Valley State University
item MILLER, J - Louisiana State University
item TERRILL, T - Fort Valley State University
item WILDEUS, S - Virginia State University
item SHAIK, S - Fort Valley State University
item GETZ, W - Fort Valley State University
item VANGURU, M - Fort Valley State University

Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2010
Publication Date: 3/11/2010
Citation: Burke, J.M., Soli, F., Miller, J.E., Terrill, T.H., Wildeus, S., Shaik, S.H., Getz, W.R., Vanguru, M. 2010. Administration of copper oxide wire particles in a capsule or feed for gastrointestinal nematode control in goats. Veterinary Parasitology. 168(3-4):346-350.

Interpretive Summary: Widespread resistance of gastrointestinal worms to chemical dewormers has led to the need for alternative parasite control. Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) administered by mouth have been used as an alternative to chemical dewormers in goats, but its use in a feed supplement has not been examined. Scientists at USDA, ARS in Booneville, AR, Fort Valley State University, GA, and Virginia State University determined that COWP incorporated in a feed supplement can effectively control Haemonchus contortus in goats. These results indicate that COWP can conveniently be fed to goats for the control of gastrointestinal parasites and this information is important to producers, extension agents, and scientists.

Technical Abstract: Widespread anthelmintic resistance in small ruminants has necessitated alternative means of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) control. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) administered as a gelatin capsule or in a feed supplement to control GIN in goats. In four separate experiments, peri-parturient does (n = 36), yearling does (n = 25), weaned kids (n = 72), and yearling bucks (n = 16) were randomly assigned to remain untreated or administered 2 g COWP in a capsule (in Experiments 1, 2, and 3) or feed supplement (all Experiments). A pooled fecal sample collected for culture on Day 0 (day of COWP administration) from the yearling and peri-parturient does indicated that Haemonchus contortus comprised 72% and 61% of nematode population, respectively; the remaining nematodes were mainly Trichostrongylus spp. Pooled fecal samples collected weekly from kids indicated 58% H. contortus on Day 0 reaching a low of 0% in COWP-treated kids on Day 21 compared with 36% in untreated kids. Feces and blood were collected every 7 d between Days 0 and 21 (older goats) or Day 42 (kids) for fecal egg counts (FEC) and blood packed cell volume (PCV) analyses. The FEC were log transformed for data analysis. A peri-parturient rise in FEC was evident in the untreated does, but not the COWP-treated does (COWP × date, P < 0.02). In yearling does, FEC of the COWP treated does tended to be lower than the untreated (COWP, P < 0.02). FEC of COWP-treated kids were reduced compared with untreated kids (COWP × date, P < 0.001). FEC of treated and untreated bucks was similar, but H. contortus was not the predominant nematode in these goats. However, total worms were reduced in COWP-fed bucks (P < 0.03). In summary, it appeared that COWP in the feed was as effective as COWP in a gelatin capsule to reduce FEC in goats. COWP administration may have a limited effect where H. contortus is not the predominant nematode.