Seasonal Variation in the Parasite Burden and Body Condition of Working Donkeys in East Shewa and West Shewa Regions of Ethiopia

Abstract

A survey of donkeys arriving at markets in three localities in East and West Shewa regions of central Ethiopia was carried out during 2002. Total faecal worm egg counts and body condition scores were measured for a total of 963 donkeys over a 12-month period. Total faecal worm egg counts did not differ significantly between localities but there was significant (p < 0.001) seasonal variation within localities. Levels of helminth infection closely followed rainfall patterns, being lowest (956 eggs per gram of faeces, e.p.g.) at the end of the long dry season (February) and highest (2022 e.p.g.) in the middle of the long wet season (August). Body condition score was associated closely with level of helminth infection (Goodman-Kruskal measure of association 0.60-0.80). Seasonal variation in body condition score reflected the temporal changes in worm burden and the availability of forage. It is suggested that a body condition score of 3 or less could be used as a simple means of identifying donkeys that require therapeutic treatment with anthelmintic. It is further proposed that economically viable strategic control of helminths in donkeys could be achieved by administering a single annual dose of avermectin-based anthelmintic at the start of the long rainy season (May-June). This may allow donkeys to recover body condition when available forage is most abundant and nutritious. It is also recommended that protein-rich feed supplementation be provided during the later part of the dry season (November-January). This may help maintain body condition when forage is scarce and the helminth challenge is at its lowest.

Prevalence of strongyle infection and associated risk factors in equine in Menz Keya Gerbil District, North-Eastern Ethiopia

“…This finding is not in agreement to the findings of Fikru et al (2005) and Yoseph (1993), both reported no significant different in sex. This could be due to the difference in the management of animal difference.…”

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Horses and Donkeys in and around Gondar Town, Ethiopia

“…This result is higher than the prevalence reported in Ethiopia by Yoseph et al [29], Fikru et al [11], Getachew et al [30] who reported 15.7%, 7.3%, and 16.2%, respectively and in Lesotho by Melissa et al [28] who reported 21.6% in horses. The prevalence of Parascaris equorum was 42.29% in donkeys in the present study is higher than 15.7% and 17.3% reported by Yoseph et al [21] and Fikru et al [11] in donkeys.…”

Prevalence of endo-parasites in donkeys and camels in Karamoja sub-region, North-eastern Uganda

“…Parasites cause various degrees of damage depending on the species and number present, nutritional and the immune status of the animal (Sumbria et al, 2014; . Infection by endo-parasites in camels and donkeys are responsible for problems including poor body condition, reduced power output, diarrhea, colic, emaciation, impaired growth, poor reproductive performance, short lifespan and predisposition to other infectious diseases (Ayele, 2006;Fikru et al, 2005;Getachew et al, 2010;Yoseph et al, 2005).…”