Efficacy of halofuginone lactate for the treatment and prevention of cryptosporidiosis in goat kids: An extensive field trial

The effects of halofuginone lactate (100 mu g/kg B.W.) for the treatment and prevention of cryptosporidiosis in goat kids was evaluated in 3 field trials. Trial I was to assess the efficacy of halofuginone on the treatment of kid diarrhoea caused by Cryptosporidium spp. Halofuginone given for 7 and for 3 consecutive days, respectively, was effective for the treatment of diarrhoea (P < 0.05). Also, halofuginone administered for a 7-day treatment was significantly (P < 0.05) more effective than a 3-day treatment in reducing the incidence of diarrhoea in the infected goat herds. In the second trial halofuginone given for 7 days reduced significantly (P<0.05) the diarrhoea incidence, the time of oocyst shedding and the mean intensity of shedding. In the third trial halofuginone was effective in reducing the death rate and preventing cryptosporidiosis. It was concluded, that halofuginone lactate at a dosage rate of 100 mu g/kg for 7 days was effective in treatment and prevention of kid cryptosporidiosis. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.