Epidemiological Factors Affecting Prevalence of Giardia intestinalis Infection in Cattle Calves of Jammu Region

To determine the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis infection in cattle calves of Jammu region, 614 faecal samples were subjected to Zinc sulphate floatation sedimentation technique (ZNSFST) followed by lugols iodine wet mount technique. The study revealed an overall positivity of 43 animals (7.00%) for Giardia infection. As per district wise prevalence in Jammu region, Giardia infection varied non significantly among all the four districts of Jammu region with highest prevalence of Giardia spp. recorded in Kathua (7.78%) followed by Rajouri (7.43%), Samba (6.49%) and Udhampur (6.39%) districts. Giardia spp. infection in calves was found to be highest in 1–6 month age animals with 11.2% prevalence with non significant higher prevalence (9.02%) in diarrhoeic animals. The prevalence of Giardia spp. infection in the present study was recorded significantly higher in males (15.85%). The season wise prevalence of Giardia spp. in cattle calves during the study had non significant results but as compared to other seasons highest prevalence was recorded in monsoon (10.34%) months from July to September. Cattle calves with no mucus/blood showed non significantly higher prevalence (7.62%). Similarly, intensity of infection was also measured by counting the number of Giardia cysts in the faeces by modified Mc Masters technique.