Health problems and their management in camel herds of southern Rajasthan

The present study highlights the disease pattern among camel herds of Raika camel herders in southern Rajasthan. A total of 75 Raika families owning camels were randomly selected from Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh and Dungarpur districts of Rajasthan. The quantitative and qualitative data were collected through structured interview schedule, observation and discussion. The average age of camel herders was 48.4 years, all belonged to Other Backward Caste category, majority was literate/educated with average family size of 5.8 members having camel breeding as main occupation. The average camel herd size was 21 with small size holdings. Trypanosomiasis (Surra), abortion, camel pox (Mata), ectoparasites (Ticks), mange, maggot wound, enteritis, lantana poisoning, eye laceration, pica(sand licking) and impaction of first compartment were frequently occurring health problems among camel herds during triennium period of 2008, 2009 and 2010.