Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes in Cattle and buffaloes in Bikaner , Rajasthan , India

In the year 2007, a total of 200 faecal samples comprising of 100 samples each from cattle and buffaloes from different locations of Bikaner, Rajasthan were analyzed to confirm the presence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection. Twenty four (12.00%) samples were found positive for strongyle eggs. Eleven per cent cattle and 13 per cent buffaloes were found to be positive for gastrointestinal helminthosis. The prevalence in cattle varied from 9.09 to 12.50 in different locations. Prevalence range was slightly higher in buffaloes which ranged between 10.52 to 14.81. The estimation of EPG count for Strongyle species in cattle range between 200-1000, with an average of 504.00+245.41. This range was 200-1400 with an average of 684.61+350.82 in buffaloes.


Introduction
animals (Lebbie et al., 1994) Chowdhury and Tada (1994) described the prevalence and other factors The annual growth rate of cattle population is associated with helminthes of domestic animals in only 0.5 per cent as against the expected growth of 1.1 Indian subcontinent causing parasitic gastroenteritis.percent for total livestock in India.Factors like diseases, In this study, the incidence of gastrointestinal helminth genetic make up, poor nutritional and managemental parasites in cattle and buffaloes (one hundred each) practices, environmental stress etc. are responsible for from five destinations around Bikaner District in the low productivity of our livestock.Among all of Rajasthan have been documented.these, parasitic infections, mainly those caused by

Materials and Methods
helminths are the major constraints for poor performance of our livestock.Parasitic infestation is a In the present study faecal samples of 100 cattle major constraints of livestock and causes great and 100 buffaloes from five destinations around economic loss to dairy industry by way of retarded Bikaner were collected to know the prevalence of growth, low productivity and increased susceptibility gastrointestinal helminthosis in these animals during of animals to other infections (Yadav et al., 2004).
the year 2006-07.The faecal samples collected directly Most of the economic losses are due to subfrom the rectum of individual cattle and buffalo after clinical effects and although not immediately noticed gross examination for consistency, colour and for by the owners, these can be substantial.The most presence of any adult worms were processed and complicated part of developing an efficient strategic screened by direct smear method, Willi's floatation deworming program for most dairy farmers is being and sedimentation techniques.The ova of parasites able to understand the natural occurrence of these were identified from their morphological features parasites in dairy animals.Economic losses are caused (Soulsby, 1982).Quantitative examination of faeces by gastrointestinal parasitism are in a variety of ways: was conducted to record the intensity of parasitic infestation (EPG) by McMaster's technique.The they cause losses through lowered fertility, reduced work capacity, involuntary culling, a reduction in food quantum of infection among the animals was derived in terms of percentage positive of the total samples intake and lower weight gains, lower milk production, examined.treatment costs, and mortality in heavily parasitized

Results and Discussion
from abattoir surveys and coprological studies on animals visiting clinics, and is thus biased.It is,

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthosis in
however, apparent that the prevalence of fasciolosis in cattle and buffaloes : Faecal examination of 100 a tropical country like India is largely determined by cattle and buffaloes each during the year 2006-07 rainfall and production systems (Copeman and revealed 11 per cent cattle and 13 per cent buffaloes to Copland, 2008).Perhaps dry climate of Bikaner with be positive for gastrointestinal helminthosis.Table 1 very high temperature and very low rainfall might shows the prevalence and quantitative estimation of have produced the unfavorable conditions for the parasitic ova at various destinations during the study.development of the parasites and contributed for The prevalence in cattle varied from 9.09 to 12.50 in keeping low profile of parasitic infection in this area.different locations.Prevalence range was slightly The rate of prevalence and intensity of various higher in buffaloes which ranged between 10.52 to gastrointestinal parasites are severely affected during 14.81.The estimation of EPG count for Strongyle drought conditions (Chauhan et al. 1981).species in cattle range between 200-1000, with an In the present investigation the faecal samples average of 504.00+245.41.This range was 200-1400 were taken from the areas where the animals were with an average of 684.61+350.82 in buffaloes.reared under good managemental conditions in small Grossly, adult worms were not found in the faeces of units.A higher level of parasitism in dairy cattle has both the species of animals.The faeces were firm in also been reported by Yazwinski and Gibbs (1975), in consistency.No clinical signs of worm infestation poorly managed farms in comparision to fairly well were found in these animals.Only Strongyle species managed farms.eggs were detected in faeces.No eggs of other Low prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthosis helminthes were seen.This observation corroborates in present study could be due to the fact that with the earlier findings of Godara and Manohar deworming of cattle and buffaloes is done by field (2004) who reported higher incidence of Strongyle sp.veterinarians and para-vet staff. in cattle of Rajasthan.Similarly Kashyap et al. (1997)