Gastro-intestinal nematodes in sheep in Kashmir

Abstract

Examination at necropsy of the abomasum and intestinal tract of 62 sheep (including both sexes) of Karnah breed, aged one to two years over a period of one year was conducted at Handwara, situated in the north-west of Kashmir Valley. The following species of nematodes were found: Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Chabertia ovina, Nematodirus spathiger, Skrjabinema ovis and Trichuris ovis. Infections with Trichostrongylus axei and T. colubriformis were, respectively, 57.7 and 40.2% of the total of all nematodes recovered. Faecal examination of adult sheep of Karnah breed, aged two to four years, comprising mostly pregnant and lactating ewes, showed a rise in strongyle egg counts during the months of March and April, coinciding with the lambing season in the area. The lambs showed a rise in faecal strongyle egg output from May onwards. The counts reached their peak during the month of September. It is presumed that pastures contaminated by pregnant and lactating ewes during the spring season were responsible for the acquisition of heavy nematode infections by lambs in the area.