Prevalence of Anemia in Small Ruminants in Garividi region of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The present clinical study was conducted from March 2022 to August 2022 to determine the prevalence of anemia in small ruminants that were presented to Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Garividi. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated etiologies causing anemia in the area. A total of 344 animals (238 goats and 106 sheep) were presented to the VCC with the history of generalized weakness, inappetance, diarrhea and poor weight gain. The overall prevalence of anemia was 70.3% among the presented cases. The prevalence was higher in sheep (74.5%) than goats (68.5%) with non-significant difference (p > 0.05). The prevalence in young ones was higher as compared with adult small ruminants with prevalence of 65.3% and 34.7%, respectively. The prevalence was higher in female (71.5%) than male (28.5%) but there is no significant difference (p >0.05). Blood parameters were analyzed to rule out the anemia and its etiology. Anemia in small ruminants should be ruled out to prevent production, reproductive and economic losses in the flock. In sheep ectoparasitic infestation (30.4%), endoparasitic infection (44.3%), mixed infection (10.12%) and other conditions (15.2%), whereas in goats ectoparasitic infestation (38.6%), endoparasitic infection (25.8), mixed infection (16.6%) and other conditions (19.01%) were the etiologies that led to anemia.