Journal of Veterinary Parasitology

The present study deals with the prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematode infection at an organized sheep breeding farm, Shuhama on the basis of faecal examination of 140 sheep under one year of age and of either sex and 135 at highland pasture (Laderwas, 12000 feet above sea level). The overall percentage of gastro-intestinal nematode infection was found to be 85.00 per cent and 94.07 per cent at the farm and at the highland pasture, respectively. Mixed infection of 4–6 species was commonly observed. Sex of the animals had no significant effect on the prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematodes in sheep. The hoggets were comparatively more susceptible than weaners against the gastro-intestinal nematode parasitic infection. Exotic breeds showed higher incidence (64 & 70 and 73.22%) rate than native non-descript breed (35.29 and 26.77%) at farm and highland pasture, respectively. Nematodirus species was the most common parasite found in sheep at farm (89.07%) and infection Haemonchus sp. was recorded highest at highland pasture in sheep (92.07%) followed by Marshallagia sp. (72.59%). Other parasites found were Trichostrongylus sp., Strongyloid papillosus, Trichurisovis, Oesophagostomum, Chabertia, Ostertagia and Bunostomum sp.