Prevalence of Gastro-intestinal parasites of goats (Capra hircus linnaeus,1758) in Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Abstract

Goats (Capra hircus) are small ruminants belonging to the Bovidae family which play an important role in the livelihood of farmers but are frequently encountered with various gastro-intestinal parasitic diseases. These gastro-intestinal parasitic infections in goats are one of the causes of low productivity, morbidity, and mortality. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, intensity of infection, and farm management system. To determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in goats, 300 fecal samples were collected from goats of Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur, Nepal. Samples were collected from July to August 2021 by purposive sampling technique and subjected to direct smear, sedimentation, and flotation techniques for coprological examination. The study revealed that 86% of samples were positive for gastro-intestional parasites with 15 genera including six genera of protozoan, and nine genera of helminths. Among protozoan parasites, 58.33% Eimeria spp., 50.33% Entamoeba sp., 1.33% Cryptosporidium spp., 0.67% Balantidium sp., 0.67% Endolimax sp., and 0.33% Giardia sp. were reported whereas in case of helminth parasites, 47.33% Strongyles, 10% Strongyloides sp., 5% Moniezia sp., 3.67% Fasciola sp., 2.67% Ascarids, 2% Trichuris sp., 1.33% Capillaria sp., 0.33% Oxyurids, and 0.33% Paramphistomum sp. were encountered. Age-wise prevalence of helminth parasites was apparently higher in adult goats (75%) than that of young ones. The infection was also non-significantly higher in female goats (56.70%) in comparison to males (48.11%). No significant difference was seen in the sex and age of goats for the prevalence of gastro-intestinal protozoan parasites. Single infection was recorded 31.01%, double was 35.27%, and multiple was 33.72%. From the questionnaire survey, some common risk factors were recorded during the study period, which were goat rearing training, management practices, and treatment processes. These factors contribute to the increment of gastro-intestinal infections in goats. Hence, training on goat rearing along with proper management of goat farm, awareness on gastro-intestinal parasitic diseases and their control can help the owners increase in the productivity.