Determinar la prevalencia de parásitos gastrointestinales en terneras de la Estación Agraria Paysandú.

Abstract

A non-experimental, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Paysandú Agricultural Station to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in thirty heifers under one year old, belonging to the Holstein, Holstein × Bon, and Holstein × Jersey breeds. The animals were divided into three groups: group one kept in a barn, and groups two and three in grazing systems. For parasitological diagnosis, fecal samples were collected and subjected to macroscopic examination, evaluating characteristics such as color, odor, and consistency, followed by microscopic examination using flotation and direct examination techniques. In addition, parasite prevalence was analyzed according to breed, age, location, and its potential effect on daily weight gain. The results showed a 100% prevalence (CI 78.5–100) of Eimeria spp. in all animals evaluated. Other parasites identified in the evaluated breeds were Ancylostoma caninum 43% (CI 21.4–67.4), Trichuris spp. 7% (CI 1.27–31.47), Moniezia spp. 10% (CI 1.8–40.4), and Strongylus spp. 14% (CI 2.6–51.3). Regarding the effects associated with the infestation, a decrease in daily weight gain was observed in seven calves parasitized with Eimeria spp., which presented losses ranging from seventy to four hundred grams.