Gastrointestinal helminths in Gaddi sheep

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of Gaddi sheep (n =240) was analyzed by faecal examination (qualitative and quantitative) as well as monthly coproculture and correlated with meteorological data of different seasons of the year viz. summer, rainy and winter season. Overall prevalence was recorded to be 98.33%. The studies revealed that strongyles (98.33%) were the predominant parasite followed by Trichuris sp. (25.83%), Anoplocephala spp. (20.41%), Strongyloides sp. (16.66%), Fasciola sp. (14.16%) and amphistomes (12.08%). Seasonal Variation in the eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces was recorded. Overall mean EPG value of 1017.50 ± 205.60 with a range of 100–8600 was recorded with highest EPG of faeces in the rainy season (1323.75 ± 147.98). The monthly coproculture studies of pooled samples for the period of one year revealed H. confortus to be the dominant species in all the seasons of the year.