Gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants from Grenada, West Indies: A coprological survey and a review of necropsy cases.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasites are important in small ruminant farming because they can impact negatively on the productivity of animals. The objectives of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and to assess mortality attributable to gastrointestinal parasite infection in sheep and goats. We collected fecal samples from 114 sheep and 292 goats from 34 farms for coprological examination. In addition, we evaluated necropsy records for sheep and goats that were submitted from 2002 to 2016 to the pathology diagnostic laboratory in the School of Veterinary Medicine at St. George's University, Grenada. Out of 406 small ruminant (292 goat and 114 sheep) fecal samples examined, 385 were positive for gastrointestinal parasites, giving an overall prevalence of 95% (95% confidence interval (CI) 92% to 97%). All the 34 farms visited were found to have positive animals to at least one type of gastrointestinal parasite; 100% herd prevalence (95% CI: 88% to 100%). Among the 292 goat fecal samples examined, 285 were positive for gastrointestinal parasites (98%; 95% CI: 95% to 99%) whereas the proportion of positive fecal samples in sheep was 88% (95% CI: 80% to 93%). There was a significant difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites between sheep and goats (p = .0002). The proportion of infection with coccidia in goats and sheep was 76% and 75%, respectively. For helminthes, the proportions were as follows: Moniezia spp., 14% in goats and 4% in sheep; Strongyloides spp., 36% in goats and 21% in sheep; strongyle type eggs 89% in goats and 66% in sheep. Mixed infections in both sheep and goats were more common (92%) than single ones (8%). Out of 220 necropsy records evaluated, 29% of mortality was due to Haemonchus contortus infection. Moniezia spp and Oesophagostomum spp. were also commonly found.