IMPACT OF VETERINARY TREATMENTS ON GOAT MORTALITY AND OFFTAKE IN THE SEMIARID AREA OF MALI

Mortality and offtake data were collected in the semi-arid area of Mal l from 1518 goats under traditional management, over a period of 1.5 y ears. A preliminary survey indicated that health care was a major mana gement problem. Three treatment groups were formed: (1) control, (2) a group of animals vaccinated against Pasteurellosis, Anthrax and 'Pest e des petits ruminants' (PPR), and (3) a group vaccinated against thes e diseases and an additional deworming. Goats were allocated randomly within the flocks to each treatment group. Vaccinations and deworming were done over a period of 1 year. Average kid mortality rate was 18%, About 40% of deaths in kids were the result of malnutrition, losses d ue to predators, and injuries. Veterinary treatments, including vaccin ations and deworming, had no statistically significant impact on kid m ortality. Kid mortality can best be reduced by improving management pr actices. In goats older than 6 months the package of veterinary treatm ents reduced mortality significantly. In particular, deworming reduced mortality. Mortality rate was 16% in controls, 12% in vaccinated goat s and 4% in vaccinated and dewormed goats. Impact of vaccinations and vaccinations plus deworming on the production system was limited. Vete rinary treatments had no effect on weight development of the goats. Al so, no significant increase in offtake was found in treated animals. T hus, number of goats increased in the vaccinated and dewormed group. I t is concluded that it is advisable to vaccinate goats to reduce the r isk of periodic outbreaks of diseases. Feasibility of deworming will d epend on the costs involved.