Medicated Urea Molasses Mineral Blocks (Mummb) to Control Gastrointestinal Parasites in Goats

News source: The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development
For further information: PCARRD Highlights 2000
Fax: (63) (49) 536-0016, 2001-03-01

Deworming Program

Gastrointestinal parasites in ruminants cause significant production losses due to mortality, lower production of milk and meat, and reduced work potential. Studies reveal that annual losses due to parasitism may reach 10%. To reduce parasitism, an effective and sustainable deworming program must be implemented.

Medicated Urea Molasses Block

The use of medicated urea molasses mineral blocks (MUMMB) to control gastrointestinal parasites in goats was tested. MUMMB was considered a valuable approach to worm control, together with other management practices, because it involves less stress in handling the animals than administering dewormers. The MUMMB is a feed supplement block enriched with non-protein nitrogen from urea, minerals, energy from molasses, rice bran and 0.75 g/kg Fenbendazole (dewormer).

Effectiveness of Medicated Block

In the study by Cruz et.al. of the Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, one herd of 10 goats were given free access to MUMMB, while the other group used an unmedicated block. The effects of MUMMB on parasitic load, packed cell volume (PCV) and gain in weight were measured. Results revealed that goats given MUMMB had a lower parasitic load than those given urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) only. Moreover, the packed cell volume and gain in weight were comparable. Initial results of the study showed that MUMMB is effective in controlling gastrointestinal parasites in goat.

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