A study of gastro-intestinal parasitism alongwith isolation and identification of the parasite species affecting Demani sheep and goats in and around district Dera Ismail Khan was conducted in the months of May, June, July and August, 1998. For this purpose 96 gastro-intestinal tracts of sheep and goats (48 from each) were collected from the slaughter houses of D.I. Khan and adjoining areas.

The overall incidence of gastro-intestinal parasitism in sheep and goats was found to be 67.60 and 55.81%, respectively. Overall incidence of Trernatodes (22.91 and 18.75%), Cestodes (25 and 33.33%) and Nematodes (52.08 and 47.91%) was found in the said animals, respectively.

Month-wise prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasitism was also carried out which was the highest in the month of August. Fifteen different species of parasites were isolated and identified which include:

Paramphi stomum cervi (18.75 and 12.5%), Cotylophoron cotylophorum (4.16 and 6.25%), Moniezia expansa (16.66 and 10.41%), Moniezia benedeni (6.25 and 16.66%), Avitellina centripunctata (0 and 16.06%), Haernonchus contortus (27.08 and 14.58%), Oesophagostomum venulosum (8.33 and 0%), Trichuris gyj (20.83 and 31.25%), Ostertagia circumcincta (8.33 and 10.41%), Trichostrongvlus colubriformis (6.25 and 0%), Trichostrongvlus vitrinus (6.16 and 6.25%), Trichostron&vlus axel (2.08 and 8.33%), Nematodirus spathiger (12.50 and 0%), Cooperia curticel (18.75 and 0%), Strongvloides papillosus (6.25 and 0%) in sheep and goats, respectively.

The relationship between the seasonal conditions and occurrence of gastro intestinal parasitism showed close correlation.

The findings of haematological studies showed that there was decrease in haernoglobin contents, TEC, PCV, TLC, and increase in ESR both in sheep and goats under the effect of gastro intestinal parasitism. The values of differential leukocytic count were variable both sheep and goats. Most of the haematological disturbances of different blood parameters in both sheep and goats were proved to be statistically significant, particularly TEC, Hb level and ESR. Whereas the percentage of basophils and monocytes was not affected.

From the results of the presents study, it may be concluded
that the incidence of gastro-intestinal parasitism in sheep and goats warrants that rational treatment and preventive measures must be adopted to safeguard our valuable livestock from these serious parasitic infections. It is also evident from the results that gastrointestinal parasitism adversely affects the blood components in sheep and goats which may lead to anaemia, loss of growth and loss of production resulting into depreciation of quality of milk, meat and wool.

Therefore it should be considered as top priority to educate the farmers for following a strict deworming programme amongst their animals to get rid of detrimental parasites. This will ultimately be useful in producing healthy and profitable livestock, which will not only fulfill our protein requirements but also help for foreign exchange earnings.