Prevention And Control Of Parasites

Overview

Every farm animal will meet parasites: worms in the gut, ticks on the skin, flukes in the liver. The farmer who waits for signs of infestation before acting has already lost weight, milk and sometimes an animal. The farmer who plans ahead, and who still knows how to act firmly once an infestation appears, keeps a healthy, productive herd or flock all year round.

In this lesson you will learn the difference between prevention, the everyday management that keeps parasites out or keeps their numbers low, and control, the direct action taken once an infestation is already present. You will meet the specific methods WAEC expects for each, learn how drugs are used correctly in parasite control, and see why the best farms treat prevention and control not as separate jobs but as one continuous cycle of watching, acting and reviewing.

Objectives

  1. State the methods of preventing parasitic infestation in farm animals
  2. State the methods of controlling parasites in farm animals
  3. Explain the use of drugs in parasite control
  4. Explain the role of good management in parasite prevention
  5. Distinguish between prevention and control of parasites

Lesson Note

A herder near Sokoto notices his cattle scratching against fence posts and losing condition despite good grazing. By the time he calls a veterinary officer, the animals are carrying a heavy tick burden and several are anaemic. A neighbouring herd, inspected weekly and dipped on schedule, shows none of this. The difference between the two herds is not luck. It is whether prevention and control were practised as routine management or ignored until the damage was visible.

Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Prevention And Control Of Parasites. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. Which of the following is a method of preventing parasitic infestation rather than controlling it? A. Dosing with an anthelmintic B. Dipping in an acaricide C. Rotating animals between rested paddocks D. Culling a heavily infested animal Answer: C
  2. A drug used to kill internal worms in farm animals is called a/an: A. Acaricide B. Anthelmintic C. Antibiotic D. Vaccine Answer: B
  3. Ticks on cattle are best controlled by: A. An anthelmintic given orally B. An acaricide applied as a dip or spray C. Pasture rotation alone D. Improved nutrition alone Answer: B
  4. Draining a waterlogged paddock helps prevent liver fluke mainly because it: A. Kills adult flukes directly B. Removes the wet habitat needed by the snail host C. Increases the animal's appetite D. Reduces the cost of feed Answer: B
  5. Culling an infested animal is generally recommended when: A. The animal shows the first mild sign of infestation B. Correct treatment has failed and the animal remains severely affected C. The farmer wants to reduce herd size for any reason D. A new animal has just been bought Answer: B

Past Questions

Wondering what past questions for this topic looks like? Here are a number of questions about Prevention And Control Of Parasites from previous years

Question 1 Report

(a)i) Explain the term brooding as used in animal husbandry.

(ii) State four routine activities which are carried out in a brooder house.

(b) State four effects of parasites in livestock production.

(c) Mention four ways of controlling liver fluke in sheep production.

(d) Define the term artificial insemination as used in animal production.

(ii) State four advantages of artificial insemination in cattle production.