Gastrointestinal parasites and small ruminant production in India

Parasitic gastroenteritis, dominated by haemonchosis, is one of the major constraints to profitable sheep and goat production in India. The hot and humid tropical climate is very favourable for the development and survival of preparasitic stages of nematodes and it is likely that at all times of the year infective larvae are available on the pasture of grazing animals. Control of parasitic gastroenteritis is primarily based on the frequent use of anthelmintics at short intervals, particularly in intensive and semi-intensive management systems. Frequent suppressive dosing has been shown to result in the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. No efforts have been made so far to use environmentally friendly alternatives to chemotherapy, including genetic resistance of hosts, vaccines, biological control and mathematical model based decision support systems. However, there is now a growing awareness about the importance of parasitism and the need for sustainable parasite control. Efforts are now being made to utilise Geographical Information Systems (GIS) based decision support for developing sustainable parasite control in ruminants with integrated parasite management programs involving conventional and alternate strategies.