Seasonal dynamics of gastrointestinal parasitic infections and prediction of Haemonchus contortus infections of goats in a subtropical hilly region of North-Eastern India

A study on seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in goats maintained in a subtropical hilly region of North Eastern India was undertaken for a period of two years. Gastro intestinal parasites have been found to occur through out the year. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism was recorded as 46.46%. Separately, 49.25% and 45.28% infections were recorded during the year 2009 and 2010, respectively. Over all the eggs of Strongyle species(67.53%), Strongyloides spp. (13.06%), Trichuris spp. (4.69%), Moniezia spp. (1.47%) and oocysts of Eimeria spp. (16.83%), were detected in faecal samples of goats. Over all the higher prevalence was recorded during rainy season (65.45%) followed by cool season (37.66%), summer season (36.48%) and cold season (25.80%). Higher eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) were observed during monsoon only. Coproculture of goat faecal samples revealed the presence of Haemonchus contortus (73.16%), Oesophagostomum spp. (17.68%), Strongyloides spp. (6.08%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (3.08%) larvae. The prediction or forecasting of H. contortus infection in this goat farm as per bioclimatographs for these two years revealed a prediction of H. contortus infection in goats from April to September in this agroclimatic zone.