Proof of concept of faecal egg nematode counting as a practical means of veterinary engagement with planned livestock health management in a lower income country

Abstract

BackgroundThe wellbeing and livelihood of farmers in impoverished regions of the world is intrinsically linked to the health and welfare of their livestock; hence improved animal health is a pragmatic component of poverty alleviation. Prerequisite knowledge and understanding of the animal health challenges facing cattle keepers in Malawi is constrained by the lack of veterinary infrastructure, which inevitably accompanies under-resourced rural development in a poor country.MethodsWe collaborated with public and private paraveterinary services to locate 62 village Zebu calves and 60 dairy co-operative calves dispersed over a wide geographical area. All calves were visited twice about 2 to 3 weeks apart, when they were clinically examined and faecal samples were collected. The calves were treated with 7.5 mg/kg of a locally-available albendazole drench on the first visit, and pre- and post- treatment trichostrongyle and Toxocara faecal egg counts were performed using a modified McMaster method.ResultsOur clinical findings point towards a generally poor level of animal health, implying a role of ticks and tick-transmitted diseases in village calves and need for improvement in neonatal calf husbandry in the dairy co-operative holdings. High faecal trichostrongyle egg counts were not intuitive, based on our interpretation of the animal management information that was provided. This shows the need for better understanding of nematode parasite epidemiology within the context of local husbandry and environmental conditions. The albendazole anthelmintic was effective against Toxocara, while efficacy against trichostrongyle nematodes was poor in both village and dairy co-operative calves, demonstrating the need for further research to inform sustainable drug use.ConclusionsHere we describe the potential value of faecal nematode egg counting as a platform for communicating with and gaining access to cattle keepers and their animals, respectively, in southern Malawi, with the aim of providing informative background knowledge and understanding that may aid in the establishment of effective veterinary services in an under-resourced community.

Risk factors associated with Ctenocephalides felis flea infestation of peri-urban goats: a neglected parasite in an under-appreciated host

“…Malawi has poor infrastructure, lack of adequate communication systems and poor surveillance of highly dispersed livestock populations, with no reliable data on regional goat populations, or community boundaries (Leahy et al 2017). A pilot survey, conducted in conjunction with a 'Mission Rabies' community mass dog rabies vaccination programme during 2018, indicated the presence of 14,585 goats in the Blantyre, Chiradzulu and Zomba districts of southern Malawi.…”

“…When asked about sources of animal health advice, 1.4% cited their community or family; 3.3% referred to a vet (meaning a paraveterinary Assistant Veterinary Officer (AVO), or vet scout (now referred to as Animal Health Surveillance Assistants), as described by Leahy et al (2017); and 95.3% said that they did not receive any animal health advice, or were unsure.…”

Farm Animals’ Health Behaviours: An Essential Communicative Signal for Farmers’ Veterinary Care and Sustainable Production

“…For instance, faecal analysis of cattle in Malawi reveals infestation of bacteria-coliforms and Clostridium perfringens spores; pathogenic protozoa-Cryptosporidium and Giardia; and enteric viruses-adenovirus, enterovirus, and reovirus in the farm animals. Examination of watery stool suggests diarrhoea in the animals and as such, necessary medication could be administered for treatment of the animals before their health situation result in economic losses [85]. Other diagnostic tests for detection of animals diseases include parasitological tests for detection of parasites in animals, microbiological and virological test for identification of the presence of micro-organisms and viruses in the animals, and serological or blood test for anlysis of blood serum of sampled farm animals.…”

“…Prevention and control of animal diseases not only prevent the loss of animals to death but largely reduce the burden of the debilitating effects of disease and associated suffering of the animals such that they can enjoy better health and welfare. In addition, consumers could then have a supply of safe and affordable food [85]. In the same vein, vaccination of farm animals greatly protect animal and public health, reduce animal suffering, enable efficient production of food of animal source to feed the burgeoning human population, and greatly reduce the need for antibiotics to treat food and companion animals [90].…”

“…This, however, requires responsible use of vaccines and antibiotics to prevent, not just to control a disease outbreak in the farm animals but to ensure the safety of products from vaccinated or treated animals for safe consumption by humans. Control and prevention of diseases are however with cost implications whereby vaccination and treatment of animals add to cost the cost of livestock production and to the national veterinary budget [85]. This notwithstanding, advantages of boosting farm animals' immunity through vaccination and recovery of animals from ill-health by treatment worth the efforts and cost than losing the entire stock by death as the regained productivity of the farm animals could help recover the expended cost on vaccination and treatment in the long run.…”