Epizootological study of small ruminant gastrointestinal strongyles in Gamo-Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted with the objective to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal strongyles and identifying the prevailing strongyle species Gamo-Gofa Zone. A total of 598 animals (241 sheep and 357 goats) and 45 animals (20 sheep and 25 goats) were examined coproscopically and by post mortem, respectively. The overall coproscopic prevalence of strongylosis in the study area was 51.4 %. Strongyles were more prevalent in sheep than goats (95 % CI is 74.6–84.8 % and 58.6–68.6 % for sheep and goats, respectively; P < 0.05). A higher prevalence (P < 0.05) of strongyles infection was recorded in the midland and highland than the lowland, and in wet season than the dry season. The mean fecal egg count was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the midland area (908.7 ± 94.5) and in wet season (1,033.7 ± 84.2). The post mortem examination result indicated that the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal strongyles was 97.7 %; and a total of 11 strongyle species were identified of which Trichostrongylus axei, Teladorsagia species, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Haemonchus contortus were the dominant and with higher load. During this study infection with multiple parasites, 3 and more 3, species were recorded in about 68 % goats and 85 % sheep. This study revealed the very high strongyle prevalence and higher proportion of multiple parasitism both in sheep and goats. Hence, it suggests the need to the institution of various control measures like strategic anthelmintic treatment for efficient utilization of the available small ruminant resources.