Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthes Parasite of Cattle in Ejere District, West Shoa, Oromiya Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross sectional study on prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes parasites of cattle was conducted from November, 2014 through April, 2015 in selected sites of Ejere district, Ethiopia. A total of 480 cattle’s (273 female and 207 male) faecal samples were collected for GI helminthes examination. Of these, 54.2% (n=260) were found to be harbor GI parasite eggs in their feaces (54.23% female and 45.77% male). High GI helminthes parasites were observed in Iluaga and the least were in Dhamotu peasant association (P<0.05). Fasciola spps. (17.0 % (n=67)), Paramphistomum spps. (11.9% (n=47)), Ascaris (10.1% (n=40)), Trichostrongyle (9.1% (n=36)), Toxocara spps. (7.3% (n=29)), Trichuris spps. (6.6% (n=26)), Nematodirus (6.3% (n=25)) and Monezia 5.6% (n=22) takes the highest prevalence rate of parasites respectively. Shedding of GI helminthes eggs were higher in cattle with poor body conditions and adult age groups (>3 years) (P<0.05). Generally, age, poor body condition and poor management system were the most important factors affecting the prevalence rate of the parasites in the study area. Thus, strategic anthelmintic treatment with appropriate drugs before and after rainy seasons, improve the management system of the cattle and integrated fluke control measures like drainage, fencing and molluscides should be practiced.