PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS OF SMALL RUMINANTS IN AND AROUND VIZIANAGARAM DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasites cause major economic losses to the small ruminant farming community in terms of morbidity, and mortality. The current study was conducted in and around areas of Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors (species, age, management practices, etc.) in small ruminants. A total of 520 fecal samples were collected from sheep (N= 313) and Goats (N= 207) and were subjected to microscopic examination for the identification of eggs/oocysts of helminths and protozoa. Out of 520 samples examined 369 were found to be positive for one or more gastrointestinal parasitic infections with an overall prevalence of 71%, where in Strongyles sp. (23.7%) were predominant followed by Amphistomes (21.5%), Strongyloides sp. (6.5%), Eimeria sp. (6.2%), Moniezia sp. (5%), Trichuris sp (1.9%) and Skrjabinema sp. (0.4%). The prevalence of GI parasites was found to be higher in sheep (77.6%) than in goats (60.9%). Young animals in this study area had a higher prevalence rate than adult animals. Animals from the farms with regular deworming practices had fewer GI parasites when compared to farms with no regular deworming practices. Animals reared under a free-ranging system had a higher rate of prevalence when compared to semi-intensive farming.

Keywords

• gastrointestinal parasites
• prevalence
• small ruminants
• vizianagaram