Background
Pakistan is gifted with a large population of small ruminant including 58.3 and 27.4 million heads of goats and sheep respectively 2010.According to Livestock Census 2006, there were about 92164 sheep and 221912 goats' populations in Bannu district. Sheeps and goats are playing a leading role in the national economy by producing wool, skin, meat, milk and farm yard manure. Fasciolosis, parasitic gastrioenteritis, hydatidosis, coccidiosis, ectoparasitism, theleriosis and babesiosis are the major parasitic problems of small ruminants .There was an urgent need to carry out research on applied aspect leading control of parasites.
Study Objectives: The main objectives of the present study were;
(i) To have an overview on the overall prevalence of ectoparasites and endoparasites in small ruminants throughout the district by means of fecal tests.
(ii) To observe the affect of ecto and endoparasites on blood profile of the infected individuals.
Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that
¢ Parasitic diseases are highly prevalent in sheep and goat in District Bannu..
¢ External and internal parasites have significant effect on blood parameters.
Methodology and Results
During this study period 500 sheep and 500 goats were examined for endo and ectoparasites while using various fecal tests such as using direct microscopic examination, simple test tube flotation method and sedimentation method for endoparasites. Out of 500 goats and 500 sheep, 47 goats and 63 sheep were found positive for ectoparasites and percentage ratio was 9.4% in goats and 12.6% in sheep. Mostly, three types of ectoparasites were observed in both of cases i.e. goats and sheep (ticks, lice and mites). The total no. of positive cases found for ectoparasites in goats were 244 (ticks 10.2%, lice 30.4% and mites 8.2% in district Bannu). This result indicates a significant load of ectoparasites in this area of the country. Out of 149 positive cases of ecto-parasites in sheep; tick infection was 7.8% (39/500), lice 15.2% (76/500) and mite infection was 6.8% (34/500). Fecal samples of all 1000 animals were analyzed for the presence of endoparasites, out of which 90.6% goats and 87.4% sheep were found positive for endoparasites. Overall goats were more likely to be positive for Haemonchus Spp. and almost 50.2% (251/500) animals were found positive. The prevalence of other endo-parasites like Trichurus 5.6% (28/500), Strongyloid 4% (20/500), Coccidia 8.6% (43/500), Fasciola 12% (60/500) and Trichostrongyloide were 10.2% (51/500) while in case of sheep Haemonchus Spp. positivity was 33.2% (166/500). The prevalence of other Endo-parasites like Trichurus 6.8% (34/500), Strongyloid 2.4% (12/500), Coccidia 6.8% (34/500), Fasciola 10.6% (53/500) and Trichostrongyloide were 13.6% (68/500). The hematological profile of infected animals indicates high TLC and low hemoglobin level.
Conclusion
It is concluded that high prevalence was due to poor management and lack of knowledge about feeding, vaccination, hygienic conditions and lack of proper deworming programme. To overcome the problem it was necessary to educate the farmers about deworming programme and proper use of insecticides.