A Baseline Study on Gastrointestinal Helminths Fauna of Crossbreed (CB) Karakul Sheep and Crossbreed (CB) Pashmina Goats of Some Selected Areas of Western Ladakh India

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) helminth worms are the major constraint to the health and production of sheep and goats worldwide. To ascertain the prevalence and the level of infections a cross-sectional study was conducted in crossbreed (CB)-Karakul sheep and crossbreed (CB)-Pashmina goats raised under the traditional husbandry system in Kargil, Ladakh India from March 2021 to February 2022. A total of 284 faecal samples consisting of 130 CB-Karakul and 154 CB-Pashmina were undergone through parasitological examination followed by standard floatation and sedimentation methods. The level/intensity of infection was determined by performing McMaster counting techniques. The positive samples were subjected to larval culture for identification of genera. The overall prevalence was found to be 66.9% in CB-Karakul sheep and 55.1% in CB-Pashmina goats with one or more GI- helminth parasites. The different genera/ order was found as Nematodirus spp. 34.6%, 27.2%; Strongyle nematodes/Strongylid nematodes (excluding Nematodirus spp.) 22.3%, 21.4%; Strongyloid spp. 18.4%, 15.5%; Moniezia expensa 17.6%, 13.6%, Moniezia benedeni 12.3%, 9.7%, and Trichuris spp. 8.4%, 9.7% in CB-Karakul sheep and CB-Pashmina goats respectively. The seasonal prevalence was found maximum infection in spring and minimum infection in winter in both the hosts. However, it was found statistically non-significant (P> 0.05). The average intensity of infection was recorded as very mild (< 500 EPG) in both hosts. The results of this study suggest that appropriate husbandry techniques, adequate veterinary knowledge, and quality nutrition can enhance the health and productivity of CB-Karakul sheep and CB-Pashmina goats in Kargil, a western region of Ladakh.