EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RESPONSE OF SOME DOMESTIC GOAT BREEDS TOWARDS NATURAL HELMINTHS FAUNA OF DISTRICT FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

total of 3096 faecal samples from different goat (Capra hircus) breeds were screened through McMaster egg counting technique to determine prevalence of Gastrointestinal (GI) helminths. The distribution of nematodes, trematods and cestodes was 55.65%, 6.23% and 3.71% respectively with overall prevalence of 65.60%.Recorded species of helminths were: Haemonchus contortus, Ostertagiacircumcincta, Trichostrongylusspp, Chabertiaovina, Fasciola hepatica, Marshallagiamarshalli, Oesphagostomum (O.) columbianum, Bunostomumtrigonocephalum, O. radiatum, Moneiziaexpansa, Trichuris ovis and Strongyloidespapillosus in descending order of abundance. Statistically significant association among prevalence of GI helminths and breed, age, floor
design, animal containment and feeding system (P < 0.05) of goat was found. Gender and housing system were not found associated (P > 0.05) with the prevalence of GI helminths. The present study provided data about prevalence of GI helminths along with associated risk factors to devise combat strategies against GI helminths.