Incidence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Beetal Goats at District Peshawar, Pakistan

Gastrointestinal parasitism is a serious threat to the production capacity of small ruminants throughout the world. This study was conducted to determine the incidence of gastrointestinal parasites and associated risk factors. For this purpose total of 100 fecal samples were collected from suspected goats and processed for qualitative and quantitative examination of gastrointestinal parasites through floatation technique and McMaster technique. Incidence of intestinal parasites was; Hemonchus contortus (34%), Strongyloids papillosus (25%), Trichostrongylus (5%), Dictyocalus vivifarous (1%), Eemeria (4) and Trichuris (1%), respectively while mixed infestation was recorded in 30% cases. Age wise incidence was recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher for young animals (61%) as compare to adult animals (39%). Similarly, significantly (P<0.05) higher incidence was observed in hot-rainy season (73%) as compared to dry-cold (27%). Young animals are more susceptible to gastrointestinal parasites due to lack of immunity development and adaptation to environment. Season is considered as an important indicator of gastrointestinal parasites in goats because hot season favor the sporulation of oocytes and larval development.