Farmers' perception about parasitic otitis in Gyr breed from three states of Brazil

• Main Authors: Patrícia V.B. Leite, Lucas M. Cunha, Paulo Roberto Oliveira, Luiza B. Leite, Romário C. Leite
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colégio Brasileiro de Patologia Animal (CBPA) 2012-09-01
• Series: Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira
• Subjects: Otite; práticas profiláticas; parasitas; nematóides; Rhabditis spp.; questionário
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-736X2012000900007&lng=en&tlng=en

This study aimed to know the perception of Gir cattle breeders and farm employees about parasitic otitis and practices regarding methods of treatment and control. A questionnaire was applied on specific topics about the disease. The results showed that the otitis occurred in 25 (89.3%) of the 28 farms studied, where the main etiologic agents were the nematodes Rhabditis spp. The majority of the farmers regarded the disease as a serious problem, mainly in cattle older than eight years of age. About half of the respondents did not observe a correlation between season and prevalence of the otitis; however, 30.8% reported an increase of its incidence during the rainy season. In addition to various methods and products for the rhabditiosis treatment, a lack of standardized preventive or curative protocols was found, suggesting insufficient knowledge about control of the disease.