Efficacy of copper oxide needles for the control of nematode parasites in dairy goats

The spread of benzimidazole-resistant nematodes in dairy goat farms is of a great concern as probably more than 70% of the flocks are involved. As the re are very few other anthelmintic options during the lactating period, we have evaluated the efficacy of copper oxide needles (CON, Copinox, Bayer, U K) in both experimental and natural infections in goats. The curative effec t of CON (2-4 g) on existing worm burdens was assessed in goats experimenta lly infected with Teladorsagia circumcincta, Haemonchus contortus and Trich ostrongylus colubriformis, compared to controls. The preventive effect of C ON (4 g) on worm establishment was monitored for 2 months in animals experi mentally infected with H. contortus and for 3 months in naturally infected animals on a farm exhibiting predominant infections with T. circumcincta an d Oesophagostomum venulosum. In both experimental and natural conditions, t he efficacy of CON was nil against Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus and Oesop hagostomum infections. In contrast, the efficacy of CON against Haemonchus was clearly established in reducing the worm burden (75%) as well as in low ering the egg output (37-95%) in relation to the establishment of new infec tions over several weeks. Copper oxide needles may represent an alternative to conventional anthelmintics in the control of Haemonchus infection in so me goat farms.