Abstract:
Goat farming is one of the main sectors that contribute to the economy of
Kalmunai area of the Ampara district. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence
of gastrointestinal parasitism in goats from four villages (Neelavanai, Natpaddimunai,
Maruthamunai and Pandiruppu) of the Kalmunai Veterinary division. A total of 80 faecal
samples were collected and examined for parasitic eggs and coccidian oocysts using simple
salt flotation method and McMaster counting technique. Three types of nematode eggs,
namely Strongyle, Strongyloides and Trichuris types, and Eimeria oocysts were observed in
this study. Of the 80 samples, 59 (73.8%) were positive for either nematode eggs or Eimeria
oocysts. There were no differences (P > 0.05) on the occurrence of parasitism between males
and females as well as between different age categories. However, the number of animals
excreting Strongyle and Strongyloides type eggs was significantly low in goats reared under
intensive management system compared with other management systems (P < 0.05). There
were no differences in the occurrence of parasitism between the sampled locations (P > 0.05).
Female goats had high EPG (eggs per gram of faeces) counts compared with males, but the
difference was not significant (P> 0.05). Although not significant, goat kids had slightly high
EPG, and the EPG was significantly low (P < 0.05) in goats reared under intensive
management system. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in the EPG among the four
sampling locations. The parasitic stages excreted by the goats in this study are similar to those
recorded from elsewhere in this country. The high parasitism observed in extensively managed
goats may be due to the exposure to contaminated pastures in communal lands. A longitudinal
study is needed to design a sustainable strategy to control parasitism in goats in the study
area.
