Domestic animals are susceptible to a large number of parasitic diseases, which lead to severe economic losses to livestock industry. So, it is necessary to control parasitic infections in these animals. Control of these helminths is undertaken mostly by anthelmintics, but because of their widespread use there is development of resistance across the globe. However, total dependence on a single method of control has proved to be non-sustainable and cost ineffective in the long term. A combination of treatment and management is necessary to control parasitism so that it will not cause further economic losses to producer as well as to livestock industry. To become practically and ecologically sustainable, parasitic control schemes need to be based on integrated parasite management.

Aim:Gastrointestinal (GI) helminth parasitism is one of the major constraints for profitable sheep production. Due to variations in the prevalence of GI helminths from region to region, it becomes important to map out accurately the parasitic fauna of a particular region for development of suitable control measures.Materials and Methods:An extensive study of GI helminths was carried out in Budgam district of Kashmir Valley over a period of 1 year. A total of 1200 fresh ovine faecal samples from both sexes of young ones and adults were collected in sterilized plastic bags and examined by standard sedimentation and floatation techniques. Positive faecal samples (15-20%) in each season were examined by Stoll’s dilution method to determine the parasitic load. A total of 120 faecal samples (30 samples in each season) positive for strongyle eggs were subjected to coproculture using Petridish method and the third stage larvae were harvested to find out prevalence of different genera of strongyle worms.Results:The overall prevalence of GI helminths was found to be 77% with platyhelminths and nemathelminthes in 26.58 and 60.92% animals, respectively. The overall prevalence of mixed GI helminths was found to be 8.67%. Eggs of various helminths encountered in the present study were those of Fasciola spp. (3.58%), Dicrocoelium spp. (11.58%), paramphistomes (4.83%), Moniezia spp. (7.92%), strongyle worms including Nematodirus spp. (57.75%), Strongyloides spp. (1.67%), and Trichuris spp. (1.5%). On coprocultural examination Haemonchus spp. (55%) was found to be most predominant strongyle worm followed by Trichostrongylus spp. (17.5%), Ostertagia spp. (11.67%), Oesophagostomum spp. (9.17%), and Chabertia spp. (6.67%). On seasonal basis, highest prevalence of GI helminths was recorded in summer (83.00%) followed by spring (78.67%), winter (76.33%), and autumn (70.00%), the difference being statistically non-significant (p>0.05). The prevalence of platyhelminths (Fasciola spp., Dicrocoelium spp. and Moniezia spp.) was found to be non-significantly higher in winter, but paramphistomes showed the highest prevalence in the summer season. Nemathelminth infection was found highest in summer season and lowest during the winter season. Eggs per gram (EPG) ranged from 0 to 1800, and an average EPG count was found to be 454.35±27.85. EPG was found to be highest in summer (684.00±69.83) and lowest in winter (202.38±18.82). The overall prevalence of GI helminths was found more in adult sheep (83.00%) compared to young ones (53.11%), the difference being statistically significant (p<0.05). Similarly, the prevalence of helminths was found to be higher in females (78.32%) as compared to males (72.97%), the variation being statistically non-significant (p>0.05).Conclusion:Seasonal variation plays an important role in the prevalence of GI helminths in addition to age and sex of the animal.

In this study prevalence of chicken coccidiosis in Jammu division were undertaken in both organized and backyard chickens during the year 2010-2011, with an overall prevalence of 39.58 % on examination of 720 faecal samples. Five Eimeria species were identified viz., E. tenella, E. necatrix, E. maxima, E. acervulina and E. mitis. E. tenella was the predominant species in both organized and unorganized farms. The highest prevalence percentage was found in July, 2011 (68.9 %) and the lowest percentage was found in May, 2011 (12.5 %). Coccidial prevalence was found to be 53.61 % in unorganized (backyard poultry birds) as compared to organized birds (25.55 %). Maximum positive cases of coccidian infection was found in monsoon season (60.55 %) and least in summer season (21.66 %). Birds of age 31-45 days showed more prevalence percentage (58.86 %). Higher oocysts count was recorded from July to September with a peak value (38973.00 ± 3075.6) in July and lowest (12914.00 ± 595.48) in the month of May.

Prevalence study on GastroIntestinal (GI) helminths of goats was carried out at Govt. Farms of twin districts of Bandipora and Ganderbal and locally reared goats of district Baramulla of the Kashmir Valley over a period of one year from December 2011 to November 2012. A total of 1016 faecal samples were examined which revealed overall prevalence of GI helminths to be 74.70%, with platyhelminths and nemathelminths in 14.76 and 70.07% animals, respectively. The helminths recorded in the present study were spp. (2.75%) spp. (3.44%), paramphistomes (3.05%), spp. (9.44%), strongyle worms including spp. (68.30%), spp. (5.90%) and spp. (4.29%). On coprocultural examination spp. (71.05%) was found to be the most predominant strongyle worm followed by spp. (12.86%) spp. (8.47%) and spp. (7.62%). Seasonal prevalence of GI helminths was observed highest in summer (78.03%) followed by spring (75.39%), winter (74.90%) and autumn (70.47%), the difference being statistically non-significant ( > 0.05). The prevalence of platyhelminths was found to be non-significantly higher in winter (20.00%) followed by spring (15.07%), summer (12.54%) and autumn (11.41%). Nemathelminths were recorded highest in summer (75.68%) followed by spring (71.82%), autumn (68.50%) and winter (64.31%). EPG ranged from 0 to 1500 and an average EPG count was found to be 312.7 ± 17.76. EPG was found to be highest in summer (453.80 ± 45.25) followed by spring (313.2 ± 28.76), autumn (256.1 ± 17.48) and winter (190.2 ± 32.0).Overall prevalence of GI helminths was found more in adult goats (77.85%) compared to young ones (67.42%), the difference being statistically significant ( < 0.05). Similarly, it was found to be higher in females (75.89%) as compared to males (66.12%) and the variation being statistically non-significant ( > 0.05).