Gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematode infections decrease goat productivity in Moroccan semi-arid conditions

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Goat Production
• Ruminant Health

Background:

• Parasitic infections, including lungworm and gastrointestinal nematodes, significantly impact goat health and productivity.
• Small lungworm infections are a major contributor to kid mortality and poor reproductive outcomes in goats.
• The semi-arid Middle Atlas region of Morocco faces challenges with goat breeding performance due to parasitic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of morantel tartrate and fenbendazole in treating natural parasitic infections in goats.
• To assess the impact of strategic deworming on goat mortality, kid rearing, and reproductive performance.
• To identify the role of small lungworm infections in goat mortality and breeding inefficiencies.

Main Methods:

• A herd of naturally infected goats was divided into three groups: morantel tartrate treatment, fenbendazole treatment, and untreated control.
• Anthelmintics were administered strategically during pre-mating, pre-kidding, and early lactation periods.
• Fecal egg counts, larval output, mortality rates, kidding rates, prolificacy, and abortion rates were monitored.

Main Results:

• Both morantel tartrate and fenbendazole treatments effectively reduced gastrointestinal nematode egg output.
• Fenbendazole demonstrated greater efficacy by reducing gastrointestinal nematode eggs and small lungworm larvae.
• Treated groups showed reduced adult and progeny mortality, improved rearing percentages, with fenbendazole yielding a superior response.
• Relative risk analysis confirmed significantly reduced mortality in treated goats and kids.

Conclusions:

• Strategic deworming with morantel tartrate and fenbendazole improves goat health and productivity by reducing parasitic burdens.
• Fenbendazole is more effective than morantel tartrate, particularly in controlling small lungworm infections.
• Small lungworm infections are a critical factor in indirect kid mortality and diminished goat breeding performance in the studied region.