Association of Various Risk Factors with the Distribution of Gastrointestinal, Haemo and Ectoparasites in Small Ruminants
Association of Various Risk Factors with the Distribution of Gastrointestinal, Haemo and Ectoparasites in Small Ruminants
Aiman Batool1, Muhammad Sohail Sajid1,2*, Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan3**, Asif Iqbal4, Imaad Rashid5, Ibadullah Jan6, Faiza Bano7, Fiaz Ahmad8, Waqas Ahmad1, Muhammad Nisar Khan1
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and association of various factors with endo and ectoparasites in the small ruminant population of district Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Faecal and blood samples were collected along with ectoparasites directly from the animal rectum, jugular vein and skin, respectively. The examination of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites and haemoparasites was carried out through qualitative and quantitative methods, and Giemsa-stained thin smear, respectively. Morphological identification of ectoparasites was carried out under the stereomicroscope. The overall prevalence of GI parasites, haemoparasites and ectoparasites in the small ruminant population was 74%, 16% and 53%, respectively. Sheep were found more prone to endoparasites conversely ectoparasites were more prevalent in the goat population. A higher prevalence of GI, haemo and ectoparasites was observed in young animals, females and Damani breed of sheep and goat. Among the extrinsic factors, a significantly (P < 0.05) higher prevalence of endoparasites was determined in grazing animals (goat = 91.30%; sheep = 89.60%), animals with a poor hygienic measure (goat = 83.16%; sheep = 98.44%), open housing system (goat = 94.12%; sheep = 96.36%), and un-cemented floor patterns (goat = 91.47%; sheep = 94.31%). In the study area, nematodes (sheep = 48.43%, goat = 34.38%), babesia (sheep = 17.71%, goat = 3.91%) and ticks (goat = 48.70%; sheep = 39.58%) were prevalent significantly (P < 0.05). However, the association of extrinsic factors like tehsils with the prevalence of ectoparasites was non-significant (P > 0.05) in the sheep and goat population. The present study provides useful data on the prevalence and association of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors on endo and ectoparasites to manage the clinical, subclinical parasitic infection and vector transmitted diseases in a better way.
Keywords | Prevalence, Ecto-parasites, Endo-parasites, Risk factors, Small ruminants
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