A preliminary study of the effects of the anthelmintic thiophanate (‘Nemafax’) on the breeding performance of sows naturally infested with Oesophagostomum spp

Abstract

ABSTRACTThree trials were conducted on commercial premises using sows naturally infested with gastro-intestinal nematodes, primarily Oesophagostomum spp. In two trials the farrowing performance of sows treated approximately 7 days before farrowing with thiophanate (‘Nemafax’) in-feed at a median dosage of 62·5 mg/kg was compared with that of untreated controls. In the third trial a similar comparison was made between sows treated approximately 7 days before expected service and untreated controls. In all cases faecal egg counts indicated thiophanate was highly effective against the nematode burdens present. Administered pre-farrowing, thiophanate resulted in better pre-weaning weight gains and relatively lower creep feed consumptions of the piglets. This effect was most marked in the trial with a higher level of Oesophagostomum spp. infestation in the sows. Under similar circumstances, pre-service medication produced a response in terms of live piglets born and those surviving to weaning.