PREVALENCE OF OSTERTAGIA SPP., IN A SHEEP HERD

The present study was carried out at Governmental Research Centre for Conservation of Sahiwal Cattle (RCCSC) Jahangirabad, District Khanewal during 2007, to investigate the overall prevalence of Ostertagia spp., in sheep. Out of 300 hosts 231 were infected with Ostertagia spp. The overall prevalence of Ostertagia spp. was (77%). The males showed significantly (P 0.05) higher prevalence (81.4%) as compared to females (73.1%). Maximum prevalence (100%) was recorded in age group of (181-205 months) and minimum (62.0%) in age group of (106-130 months), showing the statistical significance (P 0.05). Maximum prevalence (100%) was recorded in body weight group of (73-82kg) while the weight group of (63-72kg) had minimum prevalence (61.5%) with statistical significance (P 0.05). The prevalence was statistically different (P 0.05) in different breeds of sheep; Lohi breed was more susceptible showing higher prevalence (87.09%) as compared to Awassi and Hisardale showing 76.9% and 74.2% prevalence, respectively. It was concluded that the Ostertagia species were more common in older and higher body weight groups of sheep. The males were more susceptible than females. In Lohi breed the Ostertagia spp., were more prevalent than Awassi and Hissardale. However, it is recommended that Ostertagia spp. infection in sheep might be controlled with regular treatment of anthelmintics.