Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Economic losses caused by the use of low-efficacy anthelmintic drugs in growing heifers

  • Regular Articles
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the economic revenue related to the use of low- or high-efficacy anthelmintic drugs within suppressive or strategic schemes of treatment in growing heifers. Heifers raised in a semi-intensive grazing system in southern Brazil were used. Levamisole and ivermectin were selected as the high- and the low-efficacy drugs, respectively, based on a previous efficacy test. Subsequently, these drugs were used within strategic (Strat; four times per year) or suppressive (Supp; once a month) treatment regimens in the heifers, and their liveweight and eggs per gram of feces counts were monthly evaluated during a 13-month period. The total costs of the treatments and their cost-benefit ratio in regard to liveweight gain were calculated. Final mean liveweight gains (kg) observed were 126.7 (Strat-Low), 133.6 (Supp-Low), 141.3 (Strat-High), 142.9 (Supp-High), and 125.8 (Control). Treatments with a high-efficacy drug resulted in monetary gains of US$ 19.56 (Strat-High) and US$ 14.98 (Supp-High), but Supp-Low and Strat-Low treatments caused economic losses. Total cost of the efficacy test (US$ 374.79) could be paid by the additional liveweight gain of 20 heifers from the Strat-High group. These results showed that it would be preferable not to treat the heifers against GIN if compared with treating them with a low-efficacy drug. In addition, we showed that the use of four treatments per year with a high-efficacy drug—selected by efficacy test—resulted in a profitable management to control GIN in growing heifers raised in a semi-intensive gazing system in southern Brazil.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alonso-Díaz, M.A., Arnaud-Ochoa, R.A., Becerra-Nava, R., Torres-Acosta, J.F.J., Rodriguez-Vivas, R.I., Quiroz-Romero, R.H., 2015. Frequency of cattle farms with ivermectin resistant gastrointestinal nematodes in Veracruz, Mexico, Veterinary Parasitology, 212, 439--443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becerra-Nava, R., Alonso-Díaz, M.A., Fernández-Salas, A., Quiroz, R.H., 2014. First report of cattle farms with gastrointestinal nematodes resistant to levamisole in Mexico, Veterinary Parasitology, 204, 285--290

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borges, F.A., Silva, H.C., Buzzulini, C., Soares, V.E., Santos, E., Oliveira, G.P., Costa, A.J., 2008. Endectocide activity of a new long-action formulation containing 2.25% ivermectin+1.25% abamectin in cattle, Veterinary Parasitology, 155, 299—307

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borges, F.A., Almeida, G.D., Heckler, R.P., Lemes, R.T., Onizuka, M.K.V., Borges, D.G.L., 2013. Anthelmintic resistance impact on tropical beef cattle productivity: effect on weight gain of weaned calves, Tropical Animal Health Production, 45, 723--727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borges, F.A., Borges, D.G.L., Heckler, R.P., Neves, J.P.L., Lopes, F.G., Onizuka, M.K.V., 2015. Multispecies resistance of cattle gastrointestinal nematodes to long-acting avermectin formulations in Mato Grosso do Sul, Veterinary Parasitology, 212, 299--302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Candy, P.M., Waghorn, T.S., Miller, C.M., Ganesh, S., Leathwick, D.M., 2018. The effect on liveweight gain of using anthelmintics with incomplete efficacy against resistant Cooperia oncophora in cattle, Veterinary Parasitology, 251, 56--62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cezar, A.S., Vogel, F.S.F., Sangioni, L.A., Antonello, A.M., Camillo, G., Toscan, G., Araujo, L.O., 2010. Anthelmintic action of different formulations of macrocyclic lactones on resistant strains of nematodes of cattle, Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira, 30, 523--528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cezar, A.S., Ribas, H.O., Pivoto, F.L., Sangioni, L.A., Vogel, F.S.F., 2011. Combination of drugs as an alternative to control multi-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep, Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira, 31, 151--157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charlier, J., Höglund, J., von Samson-Himmelstjerna, G., Dorny, P., Vercruysse, J., 2009. Gastrointestinal nematode infections in adult dairy cattle: impact on production, diagnosis and control, Veterinary Parasitology, 164, 70--79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coles, G.C., Bauer, C., Borgsteede, F.H.M., Geerts, S., Klei, T.R., Taylor, M.A., Waller, P.J., 1992. World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (W.A.A.V.P.) methods for the detection of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes of veterinary importance, Veterinary Parasitology, 44, 35--44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coles, G.C., Jackson, F., Pomroy, W.E., Prichard, R.K., von Samson-Himmelstjerna, G., Silvestre, A., Taylor, M.A., Vercruysse, J., 2006. The detection of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes of veterinary importance, Veterinary Parasitology, 136, 167--185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cotter, J.L., Van Burgel, A., Besier, R.B., 2015. Anthelmintic resistance in nematodes of beef cattle in south-west Western Australia, Veterinary Parasitology, 207, 276--284

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cristel, S., Fiel, C., Anziani, O., Descarga, C., Cetrá, B., Romero, J., Fernández, S., Entrocasso, C., Lloberasi, M., Medus, D., Steffan, P., 2017. Anthelmintic resistance in grazing beef cattle in central and northeastern areas of Argentina—an update, Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports, 9, 25--28

    Google Scholar 

  • Delgado, F.E.F., Lima, W.S., da Cunha, A.P., Bello, A.C.P.P., Domingues, L.N., Wanderley, R.P.B., Leite, P.V.B., Leite, R.C., 2009. Cattle helminthiasis: farmers perception in Minas Gerais, Brazil, Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinaria, 18, 29--33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds, M.D., Johnson, E.G., Edmonds, J.D., 2010. Anthelmintic resistance of Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora to macrocyclic lactones in cattle from the western United States, Veterinary Parasitology, 170, 224--229

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edmonds, M.D., Vatta, A.F., Marchiondo, A.A., Vanimisetti, H.B., Edmonds, J.D., 2018. Concurrent treatment with a macrocyclic lactone and benzimidazole provides season long performance advantages in grazing cattle harboring macrocyclic lactone resistant nematodes, Veterinary Parasitology, 252, 157--162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fazzio, L.E., Yacachury, N., Galvan, W.R., Peruzzo, E., Sánchez, R.O., Gimeno, E.J., 2012. Impact of ivermectin-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes in feedlot cattle in Argentina, Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira, 32, 419--423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fazzio, L.E., Sánchez, R.O., Streitenberger, N., Galvan, W.R., Giudici, C.J., Gimeno, E.J., 2014. The effect of anthelmintic resistance on the productivity in feedlot cattle, Veterinary Parasitology, 206, 240--245

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forbes, A.B., Huckle, C.A., Gibb, M.J., Rook, A.J., Nuthall, R., 2000. Evaluation of the effects of nematode parasitism on grazing behaviour, herbage intake and growth in young grazing cattle, Veterinary Parasitology, 90, 111--118

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Geurden, T., Chartier, C., Fanke, J., di Regalbono, A.F., Traversa, D., von Samson-Himmelstjerna, G., Demeler, J., Vanimisetti, H.B., Bartram, D.J., Denwood, M.J., 2015. Anthelmintic resistance to ivermectin and moxidectin in gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle in Europe, International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 5, 163--171

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grisi, L., Leite, R.C., Martins, J.R.S., Barros, A.T.M., Andreotti, R., Cançado, P.H.D., León, A.A.P., Pereira, J.B., Villela, H.S., 2014. Reassessment of the potential economic impact of cattle parasites in Brazil, Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária, 23, 150--156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, J.A., 1993. Economic benefits of parasite control in cattle, Veterinary Parasitology, 46, 159--173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heckler, R.P., Borges, D.G.L., Vieira, M.C., Conde, M.H., Green, M., Amorim, M.L., Echeverria, J.T., Oliveira, T.L., Moro, E., Van-Onselen, V.J., Borges, F.A., 2016. New approach for the strategic control of gastrointestinal nematodes in grazed beef cattle during the growing phase in central Brazil, Veterinary Parasitology, 221, 123--129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lopes, W.D.Z., dos Santos, T.R., Sakamoto, C.A.M., de Lima, R.C.A., Valarelli, R.L., Paiva, P., da Costa, A.J., 2013. Persistent efficacy of 3.5% doramectin compared to 3.15% ivermectin against gastrointestinal nematodes in experimentally-infected cattle in Brazil, Research in Veterinary Science, 94, 290--294

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez-Valladares, M., Geurden, T., Bartram, D.J., Martínez-Pérez, J.M., Robles-Pérez, D., Bohórquez, A., Florez, E., Meana, A., Rojo-Vázquez, F.A., 2015. Resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes to the most commonly used anthelmintics in sheep, cattle and horses in Spain, Veterinary Parasitology, 211, 228--233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molento, M.B., Buzatti, A., Sprenger, L.K., 2016. Pasture larval count as a supporting method for parasite epidemiology, population dynamic and control in ruminants, Livestock Science, 192, 48--54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morel, N., Signorini, M.L., Mangold, A.J., Guglielmone, A.A., Nava, S., 2017. Strategic control of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus infestation on beef cattle grazed in Panicum maximum grasses in a subtropical semi-arid region of Argentina, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 144, 179--183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morri, C.A., 2007. A review of genetic resistance to disease in Bos taurus cattle, The Veterinary Journal, 3, 481--491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramos, F., Portella, L.P., Rodrigues, F.S., Reginato, C.Z., Pötter, L., Cezar, A.S., Sangioni, L.A., Vogel, F.S.F., 2016. Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of beef cattle in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 6, 93--101

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigues, F. dS, Cezar, A.S., Menezes, F. Rd., Sangioni, L.A., Vogel, F.S.F., Botton, S.A., 2017. Efficacy and economic analysis of two treatment regimens using toltrazuril in lambs naturally infected with Eimeria spp. on pasture, Parasitology Research, 116, 2911--2919

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute, 2011. Statistical analysis system user’s guide: statistics, version 9.3. Cary, USA

  • Soutello, R.G.V., Seno, M.C.Z., Amarante, A.F.T., 2007. Anthelmintic resistance in cattle nematodes in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil, Veterinary Parasitology, 148, 360-364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stromberg, B.E., Gasbarre, L.C., Waite, A., Bechtol, D.T., Brown, M.S., Robinson, N.A., Olson, E.J., Newcomb, H., 2012. Cooperia punctata: effect on cattle productivity?, Veterinary Parasitology, 183, 284--291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suarez, V.H., Cristel, S.L., 2014. Risk factors for anthelmintic resistance development in cattle gastrointestinal nematodes in Argentina, Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinaria, 23, 129--135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Wyk, J.A., Cabaret, J., Michael, L.M., 2004. Morphological identification of nematode larvae of small ruminants and cattle simplified, Veterinary Parasitology, 119, 277--306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waghorn, T.S., Miller, C.M., Leathwick, D.M., 2016. Confirmation of ivermectin resistance in Ostertagia ostertagi in cattle in New Zealand, Veterinary Parasitology, 229, 139--143

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the support of equipment necessary for the accomplishment of parasitological techniques of Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Clínica de Grandes Animais (DCGA), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Av. Roraima 1000, Santa Maria, RS, 97105-900, Brazil

    Felipe Lamberti Pivoto & Marta Lizandra do Rego Leal

  2. Universidade Regional do Noroeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (UNIJUI), Ijui, RS, Brazil

    Alfredo Skrebsky Cezar

  3. Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva (DMVP), Centro de Ciências Rurais (CCR), UFSM, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

    Fernanda Silveira Flores Vogel, Camila Balconi Marques & Marta Elena Machado Alves

  4. Departamento de Agrometeorologia, UFSM, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

    Camila Coelho Becker

Authors
  1. Felipe Lamberti Pivoto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alfredo Skrebsky Cezar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fernanda Silveira Flores Vogel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Camila Balconi Marques
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marta Elena Machado Alves
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Camila Coelho Becker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Marta Lizandra do Rego Leal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Felipe Lamberti Pivoto.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 16 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pivoto, F.L., Cezar, A.S., Vogel, F.S.F. et al. Economic losses caused by the use of low-efficacy anthelmintic drugs in growing heifers. Trop Anim Health Prod 52, 1365–1374 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02144-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02144-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation