Observations were made on individual cases and on herds showing the effects of internal parasitism on the health and productivity of Toggenberg and Saanan goats. The clinical reactions varied markedly being influenced by the degree of infestation and duration of illness. Typical cases showed emaciation, anaemia, oedema, weakness and sometimes diarrhoea and death. Faecal analyses were dominated by strongyle egg counts which rose progressively throughout the study period. Overstocking led to some animals being at greater risk.

Bos taurus calves free from tick-borne diseases were prophylactically treated with oxytetracycline hydrochloride and phenamidine isothionate 40% (w/v) injections and infested twice with adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks. Mono- and diphasic temperature rises were observed during primary and secondary exposures respectively with the peak occurring when the ticks were completing engorgement. However, the first rise in the secondary infestation occurred well before repletion and was associated with a hypersensitivity state. The feeding performance, viability and fecundity of female ticks were impaired during the secondary exposure.