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Abstract
A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2010 to June 2011 in and around Gondar town to identify the species and determine prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in donkeys and horses. Gross examination, direct fecal smear, sedimentation and floatation techniques were utilized to identify the eggs and larvae of parasites in feces. A total of 384 horses and donkeys were examined for gastrointestinal parasites. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 92.71% (356 from 384) with 80.95% (85 from 105) and 97.13% (271 from 279) in horses and donkeys, respectively. Prevalence of Strongyle, Parascaris equorum, Oxyuris equi, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus and Gastrophilus intestinalis was 66.67%, 43.8%, 0.95%, 2.86%, and 0.95%, respectively in horses. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 87.81%, 42.29%, 4.30%, 5.73%, 1.43%, 3.58% and 0.72% for Strongyles, Parascaris equorum, Oxyuris equi, Fasciola, Tricuris, Gastrodiscus aegyptiacus and Gastrophilus intestinalis in donkeys, respectively. There was a statisticcally significant difference between species, housing and among feed types in prevalence of equine gastrointestinal parasites (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistical significant difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites between age, sex and among body condition. Donkeys were at higher risk of acquiring parasites than horses (OR = 7.97, CI = 3.39-18.75) and animals that fed only pasture and lived in poor house were at increased risk of acquiring infection (OR = 9.59, CI = 3.25-28.25). In conclusion, the present study revealed higher prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in horses and donkeys. Therefore, continuous deworming, improvement of housing and feeding management were recommended.
Highlights
In the developing world, there are estimated 110 millions of equines [1]
A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2010 to June 2011 in and around Gondar town to identify the species and determine prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in donkeys and horses
Donkeys were at higher risk of acquiring parasites than horses (OR = 7.97, confidence interval (CI) = 3.39 - 18.75) and animals that fed only pasture and lived in poor house were at increased risk of acquiring infection (OR = 9.59, CI = 3.25 - 28.25)
Summary
There are estimated 110 millions of equines [1]. In Ethiopia, the low level of development of the road transport network and the rough terrain of the country make the donkeys and the horses the most valuable, appropriate and affordable pack animals under the small holder farming system [6]. They can be used for such applications as riding, driving, flock protection, companion, breeding, training calves [5] and provide urban dwellers with opportunity of income generation [7]
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