Investigation of Parasitic status of cattle in the Sudan University Dairy Farm

Abstract

This studied was carried out to investigate the current status of parasite infection of dairy herd in the Sudan University farm. The farm contains 12 calves 18 premature cow and 34 adult cows. The conventional parasitological method for internal and blood parasite were used. These included direct, floatation and concentration method, together with Giemsa stain for blood parasites.

The samples collected were 64 fecal samples and 64 blood samples. The routine clinical examination was performed these included the general health parameters (temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate).

The animals which were found negative to parasitic infection showed normal health parameters. The were Eimeria ssp. (84%), Toxocara spp., Trichostrongylus spp. and Trichuris spp.

These were with low occurrence (4%). Monizia expansa and Schistosoma spp. were the least (2%) the number of diseased animals were (78%) and the healthy animals were (22%).

The temperature in the infected animals with parasite varied from 38 0C to 41 0C and the pulse rate varied from 60 – 80 pulse \ minutes and the respiratory rate varied from 20 – 30 cycle\ minutes. The most clinical signs observed in infected cattle included pale of mucous membrane, diarrhea, emaciation and rough coat. Examination of the environment revealed that the hygienic status of the farm was poor and this could explain the increased number of the cows infected by Eimeria ssp. and other parasites. Key word: Dairy cow- Parasite- Fecal sample- Blood sample