Survey of prevalence of helminth parasites of donkeys in and around Hawassa Town, Southern Ethiopia

Type Journal Article - Global Veterinaria
Title Survey of prevalence of helminth parasites of donkeys in and around Hawassa Town, Southern Ethiopia
Author(s)
Volume 6
Issue 3
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2011
Page numbers 223-227
URL http://idosi.org/gv/gv6(3)11/2.pdf
Abstract
The present study was carried out from November 2008-March 2009 in and around Hawassa town to identify and determine the prevalence of helminth species and its associated risk factors in donkeys. For this purpose, a total of 195 fecal samples were collected randomly from naturally infected donkeys for examination of the presence of helminth parasites. The overall prevalence of different types of helminth eggs and helminth species in this study were 96.9 %. The results showed that, only 6 animals were free from any parasites (3.1%) and mixed infections were detected in 72.8% of donkeys. From fecal examinations those animals infected with one, two, three and four types of parasite were: 47 (24.1%), 69 (35.4%), 55 (28.2%), 18 (10.8%), respectively. The parasites encountered were 101(51.8%), 60 (30.8%), 24 (12.3%), 62 (31.8%), 103 (52.8%), 39 (20%), 58 (29.7%) and 7 (3.6%) were positive for Strongylus vulgaris, Strongyle edentatus, Strongyle equines, Oxyrus equi, Parascaris equorum, Strongyloides westeri, Triodonthophorus tencollis and Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, respectively. Statistical analysis of data was made on basis of body condition and age. There was statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in Strongylus vulgaris, Strongyle edentatus, Oxyrus equi, Parascaris equorum, Triodonthophorus tencollis with body condition while there was no significant difference in Strongyloides westeri and Dictyocaulus arnfieldi species. Strongyloides westeri had shown statistically significant difference with the age groups (P<0.05); where as all the other listed parasites were not statistically significant. From this study it can be concluded that body condition can be considered as one of the important factors which influence the occurrence of some helminth parasites in donkeys. Helminth parasites are more prevalent in animals with poor body condition than well-conditioned animals. It is recommended that owners should be trained to improve the management system, especially in terms of the level of nutrition so that the animal can have good body condition that confers some level of resistance against helminthes infection.

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