INTAS POLIVET

The study was envisaged to evaluate status of gastro-intestinal parasitaemia in small ruminants and their role in anemia development. Three organized farms (2 goat and 1 sheep) were selected. Coprological examination of 313 faecal samples (119 ovines and 194 caprines) showed 85.3 percent (267/313) animals positive for gastrointestinal parasitic infestation (77.1 percent single and 22.9 percent mixed parasitic infestation). Among single parasitic infestation, strongyle (74.5%) was predominant, while amongst mixed infections, Strongyle and Moniezia (11.6%) were highest in both sheep and goats. Larvae culture analysis revealed predominance of Haemonchus contortus. Anemia score chart was used for assessment of anemia. Faecal egg counts were found to be positively correlated with anemia score and negatively correlated with hemoglobin values. Selective treatment of small ruminants is required based on faecal egg counts in conjunction with anemia score card to overcome anthelmintic resistance.