Cow-calf herds in eastern Germany: Status quo of some parasite species anda comparison of chemoprophylaxis and pasture management in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes

Infections with gastrointestinal parasites (Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium s pp., Buxtonella sulcata, Fasciola hepatica, Moniezia spp, and trichostrongy les) and lungworms were monitored in five cow-calf herds in the north Germa n lowlands. Estimated prevalences of infections with Eimeria spp. (predomin antly Eimeria bovis) ranged between approximately 2 and 48%. The highest pr evalences were found during late summer and autumn. On one farm Cryptospori dium spp, were detected in July and August (prevalence: 8.5 +/- 2.7% and 6. 7 < 2.0%). The latter finding coincided with diarrhoea in many calves. Buxt onella sulcata was found during the entire study period in highly variable estimated prevalences ranging between zero and 73%, but without any obvious association with clinical disease. Fasciola hepatica was detected on four out of five farms at estimated prevalences of approximately 1-20%. Lungworm infections played a minor role in at least three of five study herds. The estimated prevalence of trichostrongyle infections rose from August until N ovember whereas the intensity of infection did not change significantly. No difference in the intensity of infection could be detected between one far m on which infections with gastrointestinal nematodes were controlled only by moving the animals to an uninfected pasture in July, and three other her ds on which strategic anthelmintic control was in place.