Effect of anthelmintic dosages on the weight gain of buffaloes raised in flood able native pasture of the low Amazon river

Abstract

Four groups of twelve seven-to-eight-month-old buffalo calves raised in a floodable native pasture of the low Amazon River received the following anthelmintic treatments: group I - untreated; group II - treated on the 180th day of life; group III - treated in January, June and October; group IV - treated every month. The gastrintestinal infestation of the animals before applying the treatments was insignificant. Monthly weight measurements showed no significant weight gain differences among treatments. However, weight gain differences were observed among periods of the year, being higher in the more rainy season. This indicates that the weight gain of the animals may be directly related with nutritional factors. The anthelmintic treatments were considered to be useless and uneconomic.