Aim: To know the gastrointestinal parasitic
infections in cattle of Meghalaya, India.
Materials and Methods: A total of 676 faecal
samples of cattle were collected for a period of
two years from different organized cattle farms of
Meghalaya for detection of gastrointestinal
parasitic infections, using standard techniques.
Results: Out of 676 faecal samples
examined, 191 (28.25%) faecal samples were found
positive for gastrointestinal parasitic
infections. The eggs of Strongyle spp. were
found predominant (65.96 %) followed by
Strongyloides spp. (25.13%), Eimeria spp.
(17.80%), Trichuris spp. (13.08%),
Moniezia spp. (10.47%) and Nematodirus spp.(2.61%).
The Nematodirrus spp. was identified as
Nematodirus helvetianus, a first report of its
kind from cattle of North-Eastern Region of India,
particularly from the state Meghalaya. The eggs
per gram of faeces in case of nematode parasites
were ranged between 50 to 4000 and in case of
coccidian infections the range of oocysts per gram
of faeces (OPG) was between 50 to 1400.
Conclusion: Cattle maintained in organized
cattle farms of Meghalaya suffers from GI
parasitic infections throughout the year. It is
highest during rainy season followed by cool, cold
and hot season.
Keywords: cattle,
gastrointestinal, Meghalaya, parasite
