Epizootiology of gastrointestinal parasites of sheep in un-organized farms of Mahakoushal region, Madhya Pradesh, Central India

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism in small ruminants is one of the major problems in India. The present study was designed to generate epidemiological data on GI parasitism of sheep of Mahakoushal region of Madhya Pradesh, India. During the 12 months study period, a total of 889 faecal samples were collected and examined by sedimentation and floatation methods followed by egg per gram. Out of 889 samples, 780 (87.74%) were positive for one or more gastrointestinal parasites, wherein strongyles were predominant (60.40%) followed by coccidia (49.72%), amphistomes (37.12%), Strongyloides papillosus (7.65%), Fasciola sp. (3.37%), Schistosoma sp. (3.37%), Trichuris sp. (2.70%) and Moniezia sp. (2.47%). The prevalence was found to be highest in monsoon (95.75%) and lowest in winter (77.64%). The month wise prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism was found higher in August (100%), and lowest in February (68.75%). Coproculture revealed that Haemonchus sp. (65.67±2.95%) was the predominant nematode, followed by Trichostrongylus sp. (15.25±4.04%), Oesophagostomum sp. (8.91±0.96%), Strongyloides papillosus (6.67±1.18%) and Bunostomum sp. (3.50±0.62%). The highest pasture larval count was found in the month of July (1682), while lowest count was recorded in May (35).