Epidemiology of Parasitoses in Dairy Animals in the North West Humid Himalayan Region of India with Particular Reference to Gastrointestinal Nematodes

A systematic survey was conducted during two spells of 5 years each (1986–1990 and 1993–1997) to study the prevalence of parasitoses with particular reference to gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes and flukes in dairy animals (crossbred and native cattle, and buffaloes) belonging to 12 villages in the Kangra valley (Himachal Pradesh). Flukes (Fasciola, amphistomes and Dicrocoelium) and strongyles were the most important parasitic infections. Fasciola was endemic throughout the year, with a higher percentage infection in buffaloes than in cattle. Other fluke and nematode infections showed a seasonal pattern in prevalence, with a small peak in March–April followed by a high peak in July–September. The faecal egg counts (eggs per gram, epg) of flukes (Fasciola/amphistomes) ranged from 50 to 300 in cattle and 50 to 400 in buffaloes, with high loads during the rainy and post-rainy seasons. The GI nematode egg counts (excluding Toxocara) revealed a similar trend, with the overall monthly mean epg ranging from 85 to 1720 in cattle and 90 to 1625 in buffaloes, with a high peak during the months of July to September. On coproculture of positive samples, the nematode infections in order of prevalence were: Strongyloides, Trichostrongylus, Haemonchus, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum and Mecistocirrus. The prevalence of most of the parasites was lower during the second 5-year period.