PREVALENCE OF PARASITIC INFECTION IN BUFFALO CALVES IN JKHADAGZAI, DISTRICT DIR

Abstract   

    Prevalence of ecto and endo-parasites of buffalo calves was investigated in 50 buffalo farms in Khadagzai area of district Dir. N.W.F.P. Province. Faecal examination of calves (n = 118: age ≤ 1 year) revealed that 64.41% of the calves were positive for internal parasites. The worm load significantly varied (P<0.05) among the farms and was the highest (1600-3600 EPG) in 2%, moderate (800-1600 EPG) in 22%, low (200-800 EPG) in 34% and negligible (less than 200 EPG) in 42% farms. Among the calves examined 50.84% had the worm load of 200-800 EPG and 13.56% calves showed the worm load of 800-1600 EPG. , The highest worm load (1600-3600 EPG) was observed only in 0.85% of the calves. Six species of nematodes and one specie of trematodes were identified. No cestode infection was encountered during the study. The incidence of Trichostrongylus species was 21.19% followed by Trichuris (9.32%). Haemonchus (8.47%), Strongyloides papillosus (5.93%), Ostertagia (5.08%). Toxocara vitulurum (1 .70%). Fasciola (5.93%) and mixed infections (6.78%). Intestinal protozoan infection was recorded in 72% of the calves. Majority of the calves (85%) had mixed infection of Coccidia and Amoeba and the remaining 15% calves were found infected with Coccidia only. A total of 5.93% of the calves studied were found positive for ecto-parasites. The prevalence of ticks, lice, mites and mixed infection was 5.08, 34.75, 11.86 and 4.24% respectively in the surveyed calves.