PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN SHEEP AND GOAT IN DISTRICT KHUSHAB

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasitism is a key challenge to sheep production globally. These parasites result in weight loss, diarrhea, anemia, and higher production costs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the ovine population in the district of Khushab. Methods: A fecal sample was taken at random from the rectum of sheep (Ovis aries) using gloved fingers. The fecal components were then placed in sterile plastic bottles containing 10% formalin. From October 2024 to September 2025, a total of 400 submitted fecal samples, comprising 200 samples from sheep and 200 from goats of four Tehsils of District Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan, were analyzed to confirm the presence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection.

A total number of 400 fecal samples of sheep and goats were collected and then analyzed for the presence of parasites (sheep = 200, goats = 200). Among them, 89 sheep were male and 111 were female, and 87 goats were male and 113 were female. Results: 344 (86%) samples were found positive for endoparasites. Among the samples from sheep, 179 (44.75%) and 165 (41.25%) from goats were detected positive for gastrointestinal parasites.

The overall prevalence rate was 86%. In male sheep, 85.39%, and in female sheep, 92.79%, while in male goats, 81.6%, and in female goats, 83.18%. Most commonly, the parasites were Haemonchus spp. (41%), Strongyloides spp. (0%), Trichuris spp. (8%), Fasciola hepaticas spp. (21%), and Moniezia spp. 35.25% prevalences, respectively. Based on sex, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the overall incidence of gastrointestinal parasites between male sheep (38%) and female sheep (51.5%), while between male goats (35.5%) and female goats (47%). The highest infection was observed in the sheep (44.75%) and the goats (41.25%) in comparison (p<0.05). In contrast, in the tehsil-wise comparison, the maximum number of gastrointestinal parasite prevalence (93%) was recorded in tehsil Khushab, followed by tehsil Noorpur Thal (88%), Quaidabad (83%), and tehsil Naushehra (80%). Conclusions: It was concluded that parasitic spp., sex, breed, and different tehsils are vital factors that affect the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites.