Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in sheep and goats of middle agro-climatic zone of Jammu province

A total of 1920 faecal samples of sheep (960) and goats (960) of stationary flocks of the middle agro-climatic zone of Jammu province were examined, out of which 67. 24 % animals were positive for helminthic infections. The different nematodes observed were strongyles (50. 1 %), trichurids (12. 1 %) and Strongyloides spp. (4. 2 %). Trematode ova recorded were of amphistomes (8. 3 %), Fasciola spp. (8. 2 %) and Dicrocoelium spp. (5. 4 %). No significant difference was observed between the infection level in sheep (68. 54 %) and goats (65. 94 %) which could be attributed to mixed grazing and sharing of pastures/sheds. Significantly (p < 0. 05) higher infection was observed in monsoon as compared to winter. Strongyles were predominant during all the seasons, but significantly (p < 0. 05) higher infection was observed in monsoon as compared to winter. Coproculture studies revealed that Haemonchus contortus (61. 18 %) predominated during all the seasons, followed by Trichostrongylus spp. (13. 67 %), Ostertagia spp. (12. 17 %), Strongyloides spp. (4. 14 %), Oesophagostomum spp. (3. 84 %) and Bunostomum spp. (3. 83 %). Eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) were the highest (sheep 1883. 33 ± 117. 6 and goats 1800 ± 110. 21) during monsoon and the lowest during winter (sheep 640 ± 41. 29 and goats 556. 67 ± 33. 01). Two peaks of EPG (the first in May and the second in August) were recorded during the 1 year study period. Infection was significantly (p < 0. 05) higher in young (73. 22 %) as compared to adults (61. 25 %). Females showed a higher infection (73. 33 %) as compared to males (61. 14 %). The effect of prevailing agro-climatic conditions on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths has been discussed. © 2012 Indian Society for Parasitology.