GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF SHEEP AND GOAT IN AND AROUND GONDAR TOWN, NORTHWEST, ETHIOPIA.

A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to April 2019 to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with sheep and goat gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites in and around Gondar town, Northwest of Ethiopia. A total of 384 sheep and goats fecal samples (313 sheep and 71 goats) were collected and examined using standard parasitological techniques. The present study revealed that an overall prevalence of 56.77% with prevalence rate of 185 (59.11%) and 33(46.48%) in sheep and goats respectively. From the examined samples mixed infection was recorded with about 21.35%. The parasitic species identified were Strongyle spps (22.14%), Trichuris spps (0.52%), Monezia (2.5%), Emeria spps (0.260%). Female animals were found with higher prevalence of helminthes infection rate than male animals with a prevalence of 48.98% and 61.60%, respectively. Higher prevalence was observed in young animals (69.61%) than adult animals (45.32%). Body conditions and production system also showed significance difference (P<0.05) in the occurrence of GI parasites of sheep and goats in the study area. It can be concluded that, in the study area there was high prevalence of GIT parasites in sheep and goats with age, sex, body condition and production system as important risk factors. Therefore, strategic uses of anthelmintics drugs and good management should be given for the control and prevention of GIT parasites as well as further studies to determine burden of the parasites and seasonal variation is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]