Do water shortages increase gastrointestinal nematode loads in Nguni does?

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Animal Science
• Ruminant Health

Background:

• Water availability is crucial for livestock health, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.
• Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) pose a significant threat to goat productivity and welfare.
• Understanding the interplay between water deprivation and GIN infections is vital for sustainable goat farming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of water deprivation on the gastrointestinal nematode burden in Nguni does.
• To quantify the effects of different water deprivation durations (24 and 48 hours) on key health indicators.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among goat keepers in areas with varying water availability.
• A controlled experiment involved Nguni does deprived of water for 24 and 48 hours.
• Measurements included feed intake (ADFI), body condition score (BCS), FAMACHA score, packed cell volume (PCV), and fecal egg counts (FEC).

Main Results:

• Increased water deprivation duration led to decreased ADFI, BCS, and PCV.
• Water deprivation significantly increased FAMACHA scores and fecal egg counts (FEC).
• A 48-hour water deprivation period resulted in a 12% lower BCS compared to controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Reduced water supply exacerbates gastrointestinal nematode burdens in Nguni does, potentially compromising productivity.
• 24-hour water deprivation showed no significant effect on GIN loads.
• 48-hour water deprivation significantly increased GIN burdens, highlighting the critical role of consistent water access.