Identifying Helminthes Infection in Dairy Calves Reared by Smallholder Farmers in Central Areas of Ethiopia
Author: Beksisa Urge, Markos Tadele, Tamirat Siyoum, Ethiopia
Abstract: Subclinical GIT parasites are one of the major health constraints of calf growth and are associated with tremendous economic losses in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional and clinical investigation was carried out in urban and peri-urban dairy farms in different central areas of Oromia to determine GIT helminthes infection rate and its potential risk factors in dairy calves. Accordingly, 157 dairy calves were clinically examined and purposively sampled for the study of GIT helminthes. The results from data analysis indicated that about 38.9 % (N=61) of the dairy calves were found to harbor one or more parasite species. The dominant GIT parasites encountered were mixed infection (19.7%), Ascaris (15.9%) and Coccidia (1.34%) respectively. The highest proportion of parasites was recorded in the calves of welmera district (19.1%) followed by calves of Adea berga district (14%) and the lowest proportion were recorded in the district of Muka Turi calves (3.2%). Furthermore, the risk factor analysis indicated that there was higher occurrence of GIT helminthes in male calves (51.01%) than female calves (42.1%). The result also showed higher occurrence of GIT helminthes during the wet season (41.1%) than dry season (33.02%). The risk of acquiring GIT helminthes in male calves was relatively higher (OR=0.61) than female calves (OR=0.61, 95% CI=0.490-1.020). There was significant difference (p< 0.05) in harboring either a single or mixed parasites between the sex of calves. Beside this, seasonal variation significantly influenced the occurrence of GIT helminthes in dairy calves. In conclusion, the study showed that various parasites were prevalent in the study districts. Therefore, GIT parasites control and prevention will depend on instituting the availability of potent drugs against the parasites per area.