Epidemiological Study of Gastro Intestinal Helminthes Parasites of Calves in Urban, Peri Urban and Rural Smallholder Dairy Farms of East Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted from September 2012 to February 2014 in selected area of East Wollega Zone of Oromia Regional State, western part of Ehiopia to identify major parasites of calves in the study area and associated risk factors. The study includes all calves under one year age group and has no history of de-worming. Gastro intestinal parasites are one of the most animal diseases which cause livestock production loss in general and calves health problems in particular. Macc master egg counting was done so as to identify the parasitic infestation level of study animal. Sedimentation and floatation techniques were also employed to identify major parasites of calves in the study area and chi-square test was used to compare prevalence difference in line with associated risk factors. As study result shows, out of 250 fecal samples collected, 66.4% were positive for different GIT parasites while 33.6% were free from any parasites. The PCV value of parasitaemic (23.27%) and non-parasitaemic (25.83%) animals showed a slight variation without statistical significance (p>0.05). But there is statistical significance association among risk factors like season, location, age, breed and body condition and GIT prevalence (p<0.05). It can be understood from the present study that GIT parasites are the major problem of calves’ health which requires great emphasis to reduce the effect. Awareness creation and proper control measures of GIT parasites should be given for the stake holders.

Keywords: GIT parasites, calves, urban, peri-urban, rural, small holder dairy farms, East Wollega, Ethiopia