Vol. 9, Special Issue 1 (2024)

Author(s): Varun Kumar Sarkar, Shivansh Mehra, Rajashekar Kamalla, Pooja Solanki, Harshit Saxena, Devendra Prasad Pateer and Sakshi

Abstract: This study investigated the diversity of gastrointestinal parasites associated with diarrhoea in goats presented at a veterinary facility. Goats, vital to our rural economy, faces health and productivity challenges due to gastrointestinal parasite infections, resulting in the economic losses. Various gastrointestinal parasites affect goats, causing productivity decline. Parasitism involves host, parasite, and environmental factors. The study aims to describe gastrointestinal parasite diversity in goats with diarrhoea through faecal examination and identification. A total of 112 faecal samples with a history of diarrhoea were examined, and 76.78% showed evidence of endoparasitic infections. The most prevalent parasites were Strongyle (51.6%), Eimeria spp. (47.3%), Strongyloids spp. (24.08%), Trichuris spp. (15.48%), Balantidium spp (1.72%), and Moniezia spp. (5.16%), respectively. Young goats (73%) and females (60%) exhibited higher infection rates. Mixed infections were predominant, accounting for 60.47% of the cases. The study highlights the critical role of strongyles, as well as significant prevalence of Eimeria spp. and Strongyloides spp. Regular screening and targeted treatment for gastrointestinal parasites in goats are essential to mitigate productivity losses. However, further research using more precise diagnostic tools and larger sample sizes is needed to improve species-specific identification.