Prevalence of trichostrongylids in small ruminants of Kashmir valley

The present study was undertaken to work out the population structure of trichostrongylids affecting the small ruminants of Kashmir valley. The faecal samples were collected from each zone and sector of the valley and were examined by qualitative as well as quantitative techniques for presence of trichostrongyle eggs, followed by coproculture using petridish method for harvesting of infective larvae. The overall prevalence revealed Haemonchus spp. to be the most predominant trichostrongyle worm followed by Trichostrongylus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Teladorsagia spp., Chabertia spp. and other larvae, the difference being statistically significant. In south Kashmir, a different trend was observed for trichostrongyle worms with predominance of Trichostrongylus spp., followed by Haemonchus spp., Oesophagostomum spp. and other larvae, the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05). Teladorsagia spp. and Chabertia spp. were not recorded in the south Kashmir, while as Oesophagostomum spp. and Chabertia spp. were not recorded in the north Kashmir. In small ruminants of Kashmir valley, predominance of Haemonchus spp. was observed in private sector farms than government sector farms, whereas predominance of Trichostrongylus spp. was observed in government sector farms than private sector farms, and both the difference were statistically significant. Non-significantly Teladorsagia spp. was found more in government sector farms than private sector farms. In government sector farms Oesophagostomum spp. and Chabertia spp. were recorded, while as in private sector farms Oesophagostomum spp. and Chabertia spp. were not recorded. It is concluded that trichostrongylid worms are prevalent throughout Kashmir valley in the small ruminants and appropriate control strategies need to be adopted for their control.