Hello Friends! Today I will throw some light on the parasitic relationship.
Parasitic relationship is when one member of the pairing benefits while the other is harmed. Parasites have different goals when invading a host. Some simply use the host’s resources with no intention of killing them as they need the host to survive. Others hijack the nervous systems of their hosts and alter their behaviour, which many times results in the host’s demise.
This article will focus on the common parasites found in livestock, its impact on their productivity and lastly the prevention and control measures.
What are Parasites?
Parasites are organisms that live in or on another organism and feed on other organism or “host.” Animal and human parasites occur in a variety of forms including helminths such as worms, arthropods such as mites, and mosquitoes, and protozoa.
There are more than 1,000 species of parasites that affect livestock around the world. They can be roughly categorized externally or internally depending on where they live on the host.
1. External parasites/Ecto parasites:
They often confuse the host by biting the skin, digging holes, or otherwise irritating. They can cause serious illnesses such as mange and scabies that affect the health and growth of animals. Examples of Ecto-parasites are ticks, lice, ringworm etc.
2. Internal parasites/Endo parasites:
They inhabit the blood and tissues of the animal’s body. Some organisms invade animals when they swallow contaminated food or water. Others dig through the skin, reach the bloodstream, and settle in a favourable location for maturity and reproduction. These parasites often interfere with food digestion and assimilation, causing stunted growth, temporary or permanent injury, or death. Examples of Endo-parasites include roundworm, tapeworm, liver fluke, etc.
The impact of internal and external parasitism on productivity of farm animals
Both external parasites and internal parasites can weaken the animal’s immune system and create a favourable condition for bacterial infections. In severe cases, these diseases can also be deadly.
The following are the effects of parasites on farm animals:-
1. Parasites bring about low productivity in farm animals.
2. Parasites cause loss of weight and appetite to the animals
3. Parasites make animals look dull, stand apart, inactive and weak.
4. Loss of hair.
5. Parasites cause swellings in glandular parts of the body. Etc.
Parasites have been responsible for economic losses ever since humans first undertook the domestication of animals. Farmers and ranchers whose herds are infected with parasites pay higher costs to raise sick animals and earn less because of lower production. Economic losses occur not only when animals die, but also when they are unable to perform their regular work, or when they produce inferior meat, milk, wool, hides, or eggs.
A common feature of all pests is that reducing food intake reduces the efficiency of food utilization, but in some cases it induces increased nutritional demand as a result of damage or loss of host tissue.
Parasites are a major cause of livestock disease and production loss, often causing significant economic loss and affecting animal welfare. In addition to the impact on animal health and production, control measures are costly and often time consuming. The main concern is the development of resistance to many chemicals used to control worms, lice and blue bottles.
Prevention and Control Measure of Parasites on Farm Animals
Planned prevention programs are needed to minimize the risk of asymptomatic (invisible) loss in the development of parasitic diseases and animal production and to ensure the most efficient use of control chemicals.
The integrated parasite control program is optimal with minimal chemical use by integrating prophylactic treatment, parasite monitoring programs, and non-chemical strategies such as diet, genetics, and scope control. The purpose is to provide a variety of parasite control.
The following should be done in order to prevent and control parasites on farm animals.
1. Any newly purchased animal should be isolated and quarantined for some (2weeks) before mixing or introducing into the flock.
2. Animals should be vaccinated at the right time and the proper stage of their growth to prevent certain diseases.
3. Provide spraying or dipping facilities for animals, this helps in the control of ecto-parasites.
4. Animal drugs and dropping should be properly disposed of routinely.
5. Avoid overcrowding to reduce infection from one animal to another etc.
Anti – parasitic drugs for Parasite Control in Livestock
Anti-parasitic drugs are an important part of parasite control in the livestock. Strategic use of anti-parasitic drugs is necessary to ensure effectiveness of treatment and to slow down the rate of drug resistance.
YORS offers a Wide range of anti- parasitic drugs that cover a broad range of diseases caused by parasites. YORS also have Different Anti – Parasitic Drug formulations to suit different dosage regimen for livestock.
To know more about our products, please leave a comment below with your contact details and we will be happy to help you.
ZOEBEN BOLUS – 300/2500 (Albendazole 300 mg & 2500 mg)
ZOEBEN PLUS BOLUS (Albenazole 400 mg & Oxyclozanide 200 mg)
ZOEBEN PLUS Suspension (Albenazole 60 mg & Oxyclozanide 30 mg)
ZOEBEN Suspension – 2.5 % /10% (Albendazole 25 mg & 100 mg)
FEMIDAL BOLUS 300/2500 (Fenbenazole 300 mg/2500 mg)
NOEVAMISOL BOLUS 300/1000 (Noevamisol 300 mg/1000 mg)
IVOKTIN 1% Injection (Ivermentin 10 ml/50 ml)
Disclaimer
Please note that our product is packed with closure safety. Do not use the medicine if seal is Broken. Our products are meant for export use only. One must follow their local veterinarian’s instructions and dosage prescribed. Shake well before use. To get the best utility out of our products one must Store in Cool and Dry Place (suggested in between 15 Degree C to 30 Degree C), Protect from light and do not freeze.
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