Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in sheep and goats of middle agro-climatic zone of Jammu province

Abstract

A total of 1920 faecal samples of sheep (960) and goats (960) of stationary flocks of the middle agro-climatic zone of Jammu province were examined, out of which 67.24% animals were positive for helminthic infections. The different nematodes observed were strongyles (50.1%), trichurids (12.1%) and Strongyloides spp. (4.2%). Trematode ova recorded were of amphistomes (8.3%), Fasciola spp. (8.2%) and Dicrocoelium spp. (5.4%). No significant difference was observed between the infection level in sheep (68.54%) and goats (65.94%) which could be attributed to mixed grazing and sharing of pastures/sheds. Significantly (p<0.05) higher infection was observed in monsoon as compared to winter. Strongyles were predominant during all the seasons, but significantly (p<0.05) higher infection was observed in monsoon as compared to winter. Coproculture studies revealed that Haemonchus contortus (61.18%) predominated during all the seasons, followed by Trichostrongylus spp. (13.67%), Ostertagia spp. (12.17%), Strongyloides spp. (4.14%), Oesophagostomum spp. (3.84%) and Bunostomum spp. (3.83%). Eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) were the highest (sheep 1883.33±117.6 and goats 1800±110.21) during monsoon and the lowest during winter (sheep 640±41.29 and goats 556.67±33.01). Two peaks of EPG (the first in May and the second in August) were recorded during the 1year study period. Infection was significantly (p<0.05) higher in young (73.22%) as compared to adults (61.25%). Females showed a higher infection (73.33%) as compared to males (61.14%). The effect of prevailing agro-climatic conditions on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths has been discussed.