Is the strategic use of an anthelmintic necessary in the management of agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)?

Abstract

Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a rodent that is found in the neotropical region. This animal is hunted for its meat but has recently been reared in captivity as a source of meat protein in rural communities. This study was done in two phases, with the first phase investigating the growth and carcass parameters of agouti. The second phase investigated the effect of an anthelmintic on reproductive performance. In the first phase of the experiment 14 weaned agoutis, each weighing around 1 kg, were divided randomly into two groups. The first group was not given any anthelmintic treatment but the second group was treated with Endovet Ces® subcutaneously for every 3 months. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the two groups in the carcass weight, weight gain, dressing percentage (hot and cold), heart, lungs, skin, head and feet. However, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was seen between groups in the weight of liver and pluck. The live weights of the animals, at the end of the experiment, for animals that were not dewormed and those that were dewormed were 2.4 kg and 2.6 kg respectively. The dressing percentage of animals in the treatment groups were 57% and 55%. The results suggest that the use of anthelmintic drugs in agoutis reared intensively had no significant effect on weight gain and dressing percentage. The second phase was a 20 month experiment that was carried out to evaluate the effect of an anthelmintic on the growth and performance of agouti reared in captivity; thirty two animals were divided in two treatment groups (15 females and one male for each group) based on a randomized study design. In the first group (control group), animals were not given subcutaneous injections of Endovet Ces® (ivermectin and praziquantel) at 0.2 mg/kg every 3 months. The second group was given Endovet Ces® every 3 months. Reproductive data were collected at parturition including birth weight, litter weight, litter size and gender of offspring. The results showed that there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between the treatment groups with respect to birth weight, litter weight, litter size and gender. Therefore, these animals can be kept in captive conditions, without being dewormed, to produce efficiently with proper feeding and housing management.