Integrating Fasciolosis Control in the Dry Cow Management: The Effect of Closantel Treatment on Milk Production

Abstract

The liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is a parasite of ruminants with a worldwide distribution and an apparent increasing incidence in EU member states. Effective control in dairy cattle is hampered by the lack of flukicides with a zero-withdrawal time for milk, leaving the dry period as the only time that preventive treatment can be applied. Here, we present the results of a blinded, randomized and placebo-controlled trial on 11 dairy herds (402 animals) exposed to F. hepatica to 1) assess the effect of closantel treatment at dry-off (or 80–42 days before calving in first-calving heifers) on milk production parameters and 2) evaluate if a number of easy-to-use animal parameters is related to the milk production response after treatment. Closantel treatment resulted in a noticeable decrease of anti-F. hepatica antibody levels from 3–6 months after treatment onwards, a higher peak production (1.06 kg) and a slightly higher persistence (9%) of the lactation, resulting in a 305-day milk production increase of 303 kg. No effects of anthelmintic treatment were found on the average protein and fat content of the milk. Milk production responses after treatment were poor in meagre animals and clinically relevant higher milk production responses were observed in first-lactation animals and in cows with a high (0.3–0.5 optical density ratio (ODR)), but not a very high (≥0.5 ODR) F. hepatica ELISA result on a milk sample from the previous lactation. We conclude that in dairy herds exposed to F. hepatica, flukicide treatment at dry-off is a useful strategy to reduce levels of exposure and increase milk production in the subsequent lactation. Moreover, the results suggest that treatment approaches that only target selected animals within a herd can be developed based on easy-to-use parameters.

Potential economic impact assessment for cattle parasites in Mexico. Review

“…Recently, Charlier et al (44) conducted a trial on 11 dairy herds exposed to F. hepatica to assess the effect of closantel treatment at dry-off (or 80-42 d before calving in first-calving heifers) on milk production parameters. The authors found that closantel treatment resulted in a noticeable increase of 303 kg in a 305-d milk production (0.99 kg of milk/d/animal).…”

Bovine fasciolosis: Control strategies based on the location of Galba truncatula habitats on farms

“…This has proved to be of benefit for the individual cow but does not appear to reduce the herd prevalence and hence has little effect on parasite transmission (Charlier et al, 2012;Knubben-Schweizer et al, 2010;Mezo et al, 2008).…”

“…Additionally, treatment of dry cows during summer period is also advised. This appears to result in a significant increase in the milk production in the following lactation by 1 kg milk per day (Charlier et al, 2012). (C) The pasture rotation system described by Boray (1971Boray ( , 1972) (for farms with housing in winter and grazing in summer) can be utilized: dairy cows are treated with a flukicide before grazing on the pasture with snail habitat.…”

Photoactivated chlorophyllin and acetylcholinesterase/ cytochrome oxidase activity in Fasciola gigantica cercaria larvae

“…Fasciola infection is prevalent across the globe, affecting humans as well as animals. [1][2][3][4][5] The parasite is transmitted by ingestion of metacercaria of Fasciola species found on the leaves of aquatic plants in contaminated fresh water. Fasciola gigantica caused endemic fasciolosis in cattle population of northern part of India.…”