[Deworming of corralled fallow deer (Dama dama) using mebendazole]

The efficacy of mebendazole on nematode infections in farmed fallow-deer (Dama dama) was studied. The substance was administered as medicated feed, 6 mg/kg bodyweight during 10 days. At the same time the parasitic burden of the animals was investigated. A "springrise" of Trichostrongylidae, Trichuris and Capillaria was present during late winter--early spring following by a "self-cure" reaction. A "springrise" phenomenon in early spring was also evident for Chabertia and Dictyocaulus viviparus but excretion of eggs and larvae remained during spring. The effect of mebendazole on Chabertia was good while the effect on Dictyocaulus viviparus was incomplete probably due to arrested L5-larvae, which were unaffected by the anthelmintic during arrested state but after the deworming period developed into mature worms. Dewormed animals had a relative (%) growth increase which was 20% larger than the growth increase of non medicated animals.