Abstract
Gastrointestinal parasitic infections invariably affect the health status of elephants and can cause disease and death in elephants. This study was conducted to assess the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI)parasitesof elephants in Kerala and to relate it to the deworming status. A total of 31 Asian elephants presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Mannuthy, those under private ownership (Thrissur) and forest department formed the basis of the study.It was observed that 32.2 per cent of elephants in the study were affected with GI parasites. High percentage of strongyle ova was observed followed by the mixed infection of strongyle and Strongyloides ova. Statistical analysis of haematological parameters were done by using student t test in SPSS version 24.0. The haematological studies of elephants infected with GI parasites revealed anaemia and eosinophilia.
Highlights
Gastrointestinal parasitic infections invariably affect the health status of elephants and can cause disease and death in elephants
This study reports the prevalent GI parasites among elephants in Kerala and attempts to relate the incidence with the deworming status
Dung samples were collected from 31 Asian elephants in the age group ranging from three months to 70 yearsof both sexes directly from the ground during November 2019 to December 2020.After procurement, the faecal samples were stored in a zip lock cover, kept at 40C and examined within 24 h
Summary
Gastrointestinal parasitic infections invariably affect the health status of elephants and can cause disease and death in elephants. *Part of MVSc thesis submitted to Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, Kerala 1. Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Microbiology 6. Damp unhygienic conditions and small enclosures for captive and semi-captive elephants predispose them to gastrointestinal parasitic infection
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