Prevalence and Seasonal Occurrence of Intestinal Parasites in Sheep at Arid Zone of Western Rajasthan

The present study was conducted to detect the prevalence and seasonal variation of intestinal parasites in Sheep which carried out from October 2021 to September 2022 at arid zone of western Rajasthan, India. A total of 600 faecal samples (50 from sheep per month) were screened for qualitative (floatation and sedimentation) examination and examined under light microscope. Among the scrutinized samples 62.33% were positive for endoparasites, in the various parasitic infections highest prevalence was recorded for Eimeria spp. 150 (40.11%) followed by Strongyle spp. 81 (21.66%), Amphistome spp. 64 (17.11%), Trichuris spp. 24 (6.42%), and Moniezia spp. 15 (4.01%), Mixed parasitic infection 40 (10.69%) and in 226 (37%) samples were found negative for parasitic infestation. The age wise prevalence was recorded as 57.21 % in the age of 0 to 12 months of age whereas 42.78% incidence was found in more than 12 months old sheep. Sex wise distribution of parasitic infestation revealed slightly higher incidence in female as in 51.06% incidence while 48.93% in males. The season wise investigations designates that the overall percentage of infection was higher in rainy season (69%) followed by winter (61%) than in summer (57%).

• Young animals are at high risk of infection especially females.

• Incidence of parasitic infestation is highest in rainy season.