Outbreaks of parastic gastroenteritis in sheep and goats

Parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE) is a serious disease of small ruminants (sheep and goats) caused by strongyles particulaly Oestetagia spp., Haemonochus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. Two severe outbreaks of PGE were recorded in the Punjab state. Clinical signs of disease were diarrhoea, emaciation, dehydraton and death within 1–2 days of the onset of disease. Faecal samples were positive for strongyle eggs with eggs per gram (EPG) 6460±1034.6. Haemonchus worms searched in the abomasum of one dead sheep in an outbreak while Oestertagia spp. larvae were recovered by Baermann's larvae culture technique from faecal samples collected in other outbreak. Haematoogical values showed anaemia and eosinophilia in diseased animals. All affected animals were successfully treated with fenbendazole @10mg/kg⁻¹ b. w. Based on the post treatment findings it is suggested that fenbendazole may be used as an effective dewormer against gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants in rotation with other anthelmintics.