Prevalence of Equine Lung Worm and Its Associated Risk Factors in Kersa district Jimma Zone, South West Ethiopia.

Abstract

Dictyocaulus arnfieldi parasites directly affect the health and production of working equines, which contributes to the reduction in their work output and ultimately in the income of the owner and the community. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2019 to march2020 in and around kersa distinct south west Ethiopia. With the objectives of determining the prevalence and assessing the possible risk factors of lungworm infection in equine. A total of 384 faecal samples from equine species (124 donkeys, 200 horses, 60 mules) were collected and examined for the presence of eggs of parasites using modified Bearmann technique. Out of these, 384(53.1%) equines were found positive for lung worm. The prevalence of lung worm in donkeys, horses, and mules was64.5 %, 49.0%, and43.3% respectively with statistical significant variation (x2 =10.14, P = 0.006). Age of equines was found to have a significant association with the prevalence of Dictyocaulus arnfieldi infection (P<0.05), the prevalence to being in age of greater in young animal. Assessment of the two body condition scores with their prevalence revealed a significant variation, the prevalence was very high in poor body condition groups (x2 =299.99, P = 0.000). However, there was no statistically significant (p>0.05) between the occurrence of equine lungworm and the factors sex. It is concluded that prevalence of equine lungworm in the study area associated with young and emaciated equines were more affected by the lung worm infection. Therefore, Due attention needs to be given to equine health services by district veterinary services office so that equines are handled well in order to earn their maximum potential benefits and grazing management and regular strategic deworming of the whole herd with anthelminthic rather than treating infested individuals is recommended.