A Study on intestinal protozoa in calves in Ninevah governorate

Abstract

One hundred and sixty five fecal samples, collected from calves (1-12 months), with (75) and without (90) diarrhea, wereexamined for intestinal protozoal infection, using four diagnostic methods, direct smear, iodine staining, flotation method andmodified Zeil Nelson stain. Results showed that the total rate of method intestinal protozoal infection was 54.5%. Threeprotozoal genera were identified. Their percentages were as follows: Cryptosopoidium 52.2%, Eimeria 28.3%, Giardia 19.6%respectively. Singular and mixed protozoal infection were 51.1% and 48.9% respectively. While those showing sign ofdiarrhea and subclinical cases, the infection rate were 73.3% and 38.9% respectively. According to age, the rate of infectionwith intestinal protozoa was 89.7% in calves 1-2 months of age, the trend of infection was progressively decreased withincreasing age to one year or more as it reached 15.6%.