The pathogenicity of experimental infections of Cooperia pectinata Ransom, 1907 in calves

Abstract

Studies are reported on the pathogenicity of experimental infections of Cooperia pectinata in calves.

Infections arising from doses of 100 000 infective larvae resulted in the passage of soft to diarrhoeic faeces, anorexia, loss of weight or reduction in weight gain, and, in some calves, hypoproteinaemia.

Calves dosed with 500 000 infective larvae showed similar but more severe signs of infection, and polycythaemia. The animals became moribund 3 to 4 weeks after infection.

There was no direct association between faecal egg count and pathogenic effect.