Prevalence of various gastrointestinal parasites and effect of management practices on the parasitic load in Beetal and Bakarwal goats in Jammu

The study was carried out to analyze the effect of management practices on prevalence of parasites in Beetal and Bakarwali goat breeds of Jammu district. A survey of 250 farmer households was conducted to gather the information on rearing, feeding and health management using a questionnaire. Faecal samples were collected to determine the parasitic load based on egg per gram (EPG) and oocyst per gram (OPG) of faeces. Blood samples were collected from animals having severe infection load and tissue samples were collected from animals having infestation of adult parasites. The prevalence rate of infections in goats based on EPG and OPG was moderate. Breed, location and seasons have significant effect on the parasitic load of goat. The management parameters like rearing and feeding systems showed a significant effect on egg per gram and oocyst per gram of faeces. A significant association of parasitic burden on hematological parameters like hemoglobin concentration, PCV, TLC, RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, platelets, lymphocytes and monocytes were observed. Histopathological changes were also significant in infected goats. The study concluded that management parameters like housing, deworming, rearing system, feeding systems and seasonal management can significantly affect prevalence of parasitic diseases in these goats.