Prácticas de manejo y uso de antiparasitarios internos en fincas lecheras artesanales de Costa Rica
Fecha
2007
Autores
Luna-Tortós, Carlos
Cedeño Guevara, Humberto
Correa, M.
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ISSN de la revista
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Editor
Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica
Resumen
Con el objetivo de recabar información sobre las prácticas de manejo de antiparasitarios internos y el control de helmintos por parte de los productores, se implementó una encuesta en 60 fincas lecheras de Costa Rica durante el 2001. Las fincas se localizaron en Santa Cruz de Turrialba, uno de los centros de producción tradicional del país. Los resultados indican que el principal método de control antihelmíntico usado por los participantes fue el uso de endoparasiticidas (97%). Sin embargo, otros métodos usados incluyeron la rotación de pasturas y el paleteo (remoción y distri-bución de las heces).La ivermectina fue el antihelmíntico más utilizado en el hato en general (60%) y el segundo más usado en las vacas en producción (35%). Otros antihelmínticos incluidos fueron el fenbendazole (47% en el hato en general y 45% en las vacas lactantes), levamisol (28% en el hato, 17% en lac-tancia), albendazole (22% en el hato y 18% en lactancia), entre otros.En el 60% de las fincas los antihelmínticos, se usaron como parte de un programa de control pre-ventivo, mientras que 37% de los productores reportaron no usar los medicamentos como parte de tales programas. Además, sólo el 11% de los finqueros que reportaron seguir un programa de control, enviaron muestras para examen coproparasitológico en el último año, y el 17% de ellos recibieron asistencia veterinaria periódica. De manera notable, la mitad de los finqueros que siguieron un programa de control y todos los que dijeron carecer de dichos programas admitieron utilizar los antihelmínticos cuando consideraron, por decisión propia, que era necesario hacerlo. Esta decisión no fue influenciada por los veterinarios, ni se siguieron protocolos de salud estable-cidos en tales casos.En relación con la frecuencia de administración de los endoparasiticidas, el estudio reveló que 23% de los finqueros tratan las vacas una vez al año en el post-parto; el 10% lo hace anualmente durante el periodo seco y el 28% usa endoparasiticidas dos veces al año, incluyendo al menos una vez durante el periodo de lactancia. Una parte importante de los finqueros (57%) que usan anti-helmínticos durante el periodo de lactancia no descartan la leche. La mayoría de los productores (63%) acostumbran rotar el fármaco en forma periódica. Sin embargo, elp 58% de este subgrupo admite que presta más atención a la marca en lugar de observar el principio activo. En la mayoría de las fincas, la dosis se decide de acuerdo con las instrucciones de la etiqueta (85%). El uso extra-etiqueta de la dosis fue reportado por el 27% de los finqueros, siendo principalmente más altas de lo recomendado.Se concluye de este estudio que los endoparasiticidas son frecuentemente usados de manera in-apropiada, hay una falta de criterios para el uso racional de estos productos. Además, la baja participación del veterinario en el control de helmintos en estas fincas indica que los productores seleccionan los fármacos por su propio criterio. El uso de medicamentos durante la lactancia sin descarte de la leche y el uso extra-etiqueta de tales compuestos es un asunto serio, debido a los residuos que pueden entrar en la cadena alimenticia. Estos problemas podrían causar pérdidas económicas debido al uso innecesario y al pobre control parasitario, así como la contaminación de la leche con residuos de medicamentos.
A survey to obtain information about parasite control and management practices was conducted in 2001 on 60 Costa Rican dairy farms. The farms were located in Santa Cruz de Turrialba, one of the traditional milk production centers in the country. Results indicate that the main method of anthelmintic control used by participants farmers was in the form of endoparasiticides (97%). However, other methods used included pasture rotation and pasture hygiene (e.g., removal and distribution of fresh manure).Ivermectin was the most commonly used anthelmintic in the general herd (60%), and the second most frequently used in milking cows (35%). Other anthelmintic drugs included fenbendazole (47% in the herd, and 45% in milking cows), levamisole (28% in the herd, 17% in milking cows),and albendazole (22% in the herd, and 18% in milking cows), among others.In 60% of the farms the anthelmintics were used as a part of a preventive control program while 37% of producers reported not using the drugs as part of the program. In addition, only 11% of farmers reporting to follow a control program, submitted fecal samples for parasite testing in the previous year, and only 17% of them received veterinary assistance periodically. Remarkably, half of farmers who followed a control program and all farmers who were not participating in a program usedanthelmintics when they considered it necessary. This decision was not influenced by veterinarians, neither when an established health protocol was followed.Regarding the frequency ofanthelmintic drug administration, the study revealed that 23% of the farmers treat the cows once a year after calving; 10% dosed their cows annually during the dry period; and 28% used endoparasiticides two times a year, including at least once during the lacta-tion period.A considerable proportion (57%) of the farmers who used anthelmintic treatment during de lac-tation period, do not withheld the milk. Most farmers (63%) use to change the antihelmintic periodically, but 58% farmers in this subgroup admitted to pay more attention to the trade names instead of the drugs ingredients. In most farms the dose is decided after reading the instructions for use printed in the label of the product (85%). The extra label use dose was reported by 27% of the farmers, to be higher than recommended.It was concluded from this study that endoparasiticides are often used inappropriately; there is a lack of criteria for the use of these products. Furthermore, the low participation of the veterinarian in the control of helminthes in this farm indicates that farmers choose on their own. The use of medications during lactation without discarding the milk and extra-label use of such compounds is a serious issue due to the residues that may enter the food chain. These problems could also be causing economic losses due to unnecessary drug use and poor parasite control, as well as, contami-nation of milk with drug residues.
A survey to obtain information about parasite control and management practices was conducted in 2001 on 60 Costa Rican dairy farms. The farms were located in Santa Cruz de Turrialba, one of the traditional milk production centers in the country. Results indicate that the main method of anthelmintic control used by participants farmers was in the form of endoparasiticides (97%). However, other methods used included pasture rotation and pasture hygiene (e.g., removal and distribution of fresh manure).Ivermectin was the most commonly used anthelmintic in the general herd (60%), and the second most frequently used in milking cows (35%). Other anthelmintic drugs included fenbendazole (47% in the herd, and 45% in milking cows), levamisole (28% in the herd, 17% in milking cows),and albendazole (22% in the herd, and 18% in milking cows), among others.In 60% of the farms the anthelmintics were used as a part of a preventive control program while 37% of producers reported not using the drugs as part of the program. In addition, only 11% of farmers reporting to follow a control program, submitted fecal samples for parasite testing in the previous year, and only 17% of them received veterinary assistance periodically. Remarkably, half of farmers who followed a control program and all farmers who were not participating in a program usedanthelmintics when they considered it necessary. This decision was not influenced by veterinarians, neither when an established health protocol was followed.Regarding the frequency ofanthelmintic drug administration, the study revealed that 23% of the farmers treat the cows once a year after calving; 10% dosed their cows annually during the dry period; and 28% used endoparasiticides two times a year, including at least once during the lacta-tion period.A considerable proportion (57%) of the farmers who used anthelmintic treatment during de lac-tation period, do not withheld the milk. Most farmers (63%) use to change the antihelmintic periodically, but 58% farmers in this subgroup admitted to pay more attention to the trade names instead of the drugs ingredients. In most farms the dose is decided after reading the instructions for use printed in the label of the product (85%). The extra label use dose was reported by 27% of the farmers, to be higher than recommended.It was concluded from this study that endoparasiticides are often used inappropriately; there is a lack of criteria for the use of these products. Furthermore, the low participation of the veterinarian in the control of helminthes in this farm indicates that farmers choose on their own. The use of medications during lactation without discarding the milk and extra-label use of such compounds is a serious issue due to the residues that may enter the food chain. These problems could also be causing economic losses due to unnecessary drug use and poor parasite control, as well as, contami-nation of milk with drug residues.
Descripción
Palabras clave
GANADO DE LECHE, MILK CATTLE, PARASITIC DISEASES, PARASITOLOGÍA VETERINARIA, COSTA RICA