Gastro-intestinal parasitism of cattle in native pasture grazing system in Guadeloupe (French West Indies)

Gastro-intestinal parasitism of creole cows and calves, Limousin × creole cross calves and Brahman × creole cross calves was recorded during seasons of calving in a native grazing system in Guadeloupe, a wet tropical area. Calvings were pooled during the dry season for two herds and during the rainy season for two other herds. For each calving season, calves of one herd were drenched monthly with anthelmintic. A marked periparturient rise in egg excretion was observed in cows. Coccidial infection was always present in calves, but no clinical signs were observed. The main parasites during the first 2 months of life were Strongyloides papillosus and Toxocara vitulorum. Then, Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus spp. and Cooperia spp. were the dominant species encountered. Brahman cross calves were the most heavily infested animals. There was no clear reltionship between third stage larvae (L3) population size on pasture and worm burdens in calves, except during the second month of life. Despite medium levels of infestation, parasitism inhibited the growth of creole calves: −10.5 kg of bodyweight at weaning (−59 g day −1 of daily bodyweight gain from birth to weaning). The pathological effects of subclinical parasitism were confirmed by a lower packed cell volume and albuminaemia in parasitized calves than in treated calves.