Infestation of Helminth Parasites in Goat and Sheep in Tehsil Charbagh at District Swat

Helminth Parasites in Goat and Sheep

Abstract

Many rural people rely primarily on small ruminants like sheep and goats as a source of income, particularly in dry and semi-arid areas. However, the health and productivity of livestock are greatly impacted by gastrointestinal helminth parasitic infections, which can result in major financial losses. Objective: To assess the prevalence and different types of gastrointestinal helminth parasites among sheep and goats at Tehsil Charbagh, District Swat. Methods: Faecal samples were collected from eighty sheep and seventy goats. The samples were stored in sealed containers at 4°C until they were further processed. To determine whether helminth eggs were present, standard flotation procedure was used. Results: Helminth parasites were detected in 105 (70%) of the total samples. In sheep, the prevalence was 51.43%, whereas in goats, it was 48.57%. The identified helminth parasites were Trichuris vulpis, Nematodirus spathiger, Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus axei. The species-wise incidence in goats was 1.96% for N. spathiger and T. axei, 31.37% for T. vulpis, and 64.70% for H. contortus. In sheep, the incidences of T. Vulpis and H. contortus were 72.22% and 27.78%, respectively. Conclusions: The high incidence of helminth infections in goats and sheep suggests that the health of the livestock in the research area is seriously threatened. These results highlight the necessity for systematic deworming procedures, expanded epidemiological research, and more awareness to promote sustainable management of livestock and enhance rural livelihoods.