Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China.
2
College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China.
3
Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
4
Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development, Pakistan
5
Department of Clinical Medicine & Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
Abstract
Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) helminths represent a significant challenge in the livestock industry, leading to substantial economic losses due to high morbidity, mortality, redu`ced productivity, and increased treatment costs.
Objective: The present study aimed to accomplish three objectives; (1) assess the infection rate of GI helminths in cattle and buffalo, (2) identify the associated risk factors, (3) evaluate the comparative efficacy of commercially available anthelmintic drugs to address the emerging resistance observed on livestock farms in Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Material and Methods: Stool samples were collected using a simple random sampling technique. Data on various risk factors were gathered through a pre-designed questionnaire. The samples were microscopically examined following standard qualitative and quantitative stool examination protocols. Animals with positive infections were divided into four groups, to conduct a randomized controlled trial for comparative anthelmintic efficacy. Each group was assigned to receive Albendazole (G1), Levamisole (G2), Ivermectin (G3), and normal saline (G4).
Results: The results indicated that 57.03% of the samples tested positive for GI helminths, with a significantly higher infection rate in cattle (63.01%) compared to buffalo (38.04%) (P<0.05). A significant association was observed between different breed types, with Sahiwal cattle showing a higher infection rate (69.77%). In buffalo, however, there was no significant difference in infection. Age-wise analysis revealed that younger animals had higher infection rate. Conversely, younger animals exhibited a lower infection rate in buffalo than adults. The deworming status also had a significant impact on infection rates. In the comparative anthelmintic efficacy test, Albendazole demonstrated superior effectiveness to the other treatments.
Conclusion: Our results provided essential baseline data on the threat of GI helminthiasis and the factors affecting livestock production. It also highlighted the importance of using targeted or rotational anthelmintic drugs to prevent anthelmintic resistance in livestock populations
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