Gastrointestinal parasitic infections in Indian Gaddi (goat) breed bucks: clinical, hemato-biochemical, parasitological and chemotherapeutic studies.

Abstract

The present study was envisaged with an aim to evaluate gastrointestinal parasitic infections in a herd of conserved Gaddi (goat) breed bucks (6-9months of age) kept on semi-intensive feeding management. The individuals (n=20) representing the herd were selected and divided into two groups; group I (n=10), clinically ill and group II (n=10), sub clinically infected individuals. The clinical examination revealed anemia, emaciation and rise in body temperature of the individuals of group I as compared to group II. The detailed copro-parasitological examination and copro-culture revealed the presence of eggs of Moniezia expansa and larvae of Haemonchus species, respectively in the fecal samples of both clinically and sub clinically infected individuals. The hemato-biochemical parameters proved vital indicators of the health of group I individuals and exhibited decline in the values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume and total erythrocyte count as compared to group II. Significant (P<0.05) hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoglycemia and increased levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were observed in infected individuals as compared to treated ones. The detailed parasitological, hemato-biochemical observations and clinical findings elucidated and supported the presence of concurrent gastrointestinal parasitism in the herd. The significant improvement was observed in the health status of the herd after 1month of the therapeutic management, which was carried out using a combination of fenbendazole and praziquantel in both clinically and sub clinically infected individuals.