PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODES PARASITES FROM SHEEP AND EVALUATION OF SOME ANTHELMINTHIC RESISTANCE IN ERBIL GOVERNORATE

Abstract

Prevalence and anthelmintic resistance status of gastrointe stinal nematodes in 430 sheep investigate by faecal examination was conducted in Qushtapa , Khabat, Benslawa, Salahaddin subdistricts in Erbil , from April t o July 2012 . The mean eggs per gram (EPG) count determined by using modified McMaster technique , sh owed that (40.4 6 %) of the sheep were infested, the higher infection was 17.2% Nematodirus sp p . , 13.02% Strongylus sp p . , 4.18% Marshaligia sp p . , 2.79% Trichurus sp p . and 3.25% with coccidia . Four farms were selected randomly each divided to control an d three treatment groups: Levamisol, Albendazol e and Ivermectin groups . Anthelmintic efficacy was measured after treatment dates were investigated with faecal egg count reduction test , the F E C RT percentage for Levamisol in sheep ranged from 80.3 to 94.7 wh ich show m ost effective in Khabat with FE C R T of 94.7% while with Albendazol e ranged from 75.5% to 80.2%, suspected resistant in all group , but t he injectable Ivermectin in sheep ranged from 85.2 to 94.8 and show effective in Bnaslawa and Salahaddin with FE CR of 94.6% and 94.8% respectively. All the anthelmintic were found to be low ef fective, but resistance to Albendazol e was suspected. Based on the findings, it was concluded that development of anthelmintic resistance could be prevented by avoiding fre quent dosing and under dosing, while strategic deworming should be practiced by both animal health workers and animal owners.