EFFECTS OF GIARDIASIS ON PRODUCTION IN A DOMESTIC RUMINANT (LAMB) MODEL

Objective-To examine the effects of giardiasis on production and carca ss quality, using growing lambs as a domestic ruminant model. Design-R andomized block. Animals-Giardia-free lambs: 23 in infected group, 24 in control group. Procedure-Six-week-old, specific-pathogen-free lambs were infected with Giardia trophozoites; control lambs received salin e solution. Clinical signs of infection, body weight, and feed intake were determined for 10 weeks. Carcass weight and quality were determin ed at slaughter weight of 45 kg. Results-Giardia infection persisted f rom weeks 7 to 16. For 5 weeks after challenge exposure, abnormal fece s were more frequently observed in infected lambs. Giardia infection w as associated with a decrease in rate of weight gain and impairment in feed efficiency. Time to reach slaughter weight was extended in infec ted lambs, and the carcass weight of Giardia-infected lambs was lower than that of control lambs. Conclusion-Giardiasis has a negative effec t on domestic ruminant production. Clinical Relevance-Giardiasis in do mestic ruminants is an economically important disease, thus necessitat ing control or elimination of the infection.