Prevalence, Hematology and Chemotherapy of
Gastrointestinal Helminths in Camels
Muhammad Ijaz1*, Muhammad Arfan Zaman2, Fariha Mariam3,
Shahid Hussain Farooqi1, Amjad Islam Aqib1,
Sehrish Saleem1, Awais Ghaffar1, Ahmad Ali1
and Raheela Akhtar4
1Department
of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary and
Animal Sciences, 54600 Lahore, Pakistan; 2Department of Pathobiology, College of
Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang, Pakistan; 3Department
of Livestock and Dairy Development, Punjab, Pakistan; 4Department
of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,
54600 Lahore, Pakistan;
*Corresponding author: mijaz@uvas.edu.pk
Abstract
Gastrointestinal helminths (GI helminths) are of
utmost importance in camels affecting their working potential and productivity.
This study was aimed to monitor the status of GI helminths in camels of
Cholistan region. This accompanied evaluation of effects exerted by helminthosis
on various hematological parameters and comparative therapeutic trails of
albendazole and Neem (Azadirachta indica)
leaves against GI helminths in camels. A total of 384 camels were randomly
selected in this study. The presence of helminths ova was observed using direct
smear method, sedimentation and flotation techniques. An overall prevalence of
GI helminths was recorded 66.67% in the study area. Trematodes were found the
most prevalent parasite’s type followed by nematodes and cestodes. Animals in
age range of >10 years were significantly (P<0.05) affected more with nematodes
than younger animals (5-10years age). A non-significant (P>0.05) difference in
the prevalence between Berella and Marrecha breeds of camel was observed except
for the trematodes where Marrecha breed was affected more (34.67%) than the
Berella breed (25.16%), (P<0.05). Hemonchus spp. were the most prevalent compared to other nematodes
(P<0.05), a non-significant difference was seen in the prevalence among
Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica) and Fasciola
hepatica (F. hepatica), (P>0.05).
The only cestode found in this study was
Monieza expansa (M. expansa). The
hematological study found a significant decrease in values of packed cell volume
(PCV %), total erythrocyte count (TEC), hemoglobin (Hb) and increased in values
of total leukocyte count (TLC), (P<0.05). The therapeutic trial conducted
revealed albendazole as a superior drug over Neem leaves in control of GI
helminths in camels; however, Neem leaves proved to be a successful candidate as
an alternative to albendazole.
To Cite This Article: Ijaz M, Zaman MA, Mariam F, Farooqi SH, Aqib AI, Saleem
S, Ghaffar A, Ali A and Akhtar R, 2018. Prevalence, hematology and chemotherapy
of gastrointestinal helminths in camels. Pak Vet J, 38(1): 81-85.
http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2018.016