Epizootiological studies on gastrointestinal parasites of domestic ruminants in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh, India

A total of 1369 faecal samples of domesticated ruminants inhabiting Khandwa region of Nimar valley of Madhya Pradesh were investigated for one year (April 2012 to March 2013) for evidence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections. Of these, 698 (51%) animals were found to be infected with different species ofgastrointestinal parasites (GIP). It was found that prevalence of GIP was higher (73%) in goats followed by cattle (42%) and buffaloes (39%). Prevalence was higher in young animals than in adults. Significantly higher (p<0.01) GIP infections were observed in monsoon (60%) and summer (52.32%) season as compared to winter (40.41%). A total of eight genera of GIP were encountered. Eimeria spp. were the commonest (32.36%) followed by strongyles (22.14%), amphistomes (21.11%), Moniezia spp. (1.17%), Strongyloides spp. (0.80%), Trichuris spp. (0.66%), Fasciola gigantica (0.30%) and Schistosomes (0.22%). Coproculture studies revealed that Haemonchus spp. was predominant in all the species of animals. Other genera recorded were Oesophagostomum spp., Bunostomum spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. The faecal egg counts (monthly mean EPG) ofstrongyles ranged from 84.4334 in buffaloes, 150–293 in cattle and 143–550 in goats. The results provide a baseline data for planning future research and control strategies against gastrointestinal parasites in this region