Study On The Prevalence Of Bovine Lungworm In Gondar Town North Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gondar town North Ethiopia from October 2011 to March 2012 with the objectives of determining the prevalence and assessing the possible risk factors of lungworm infection in cattle. In this study a total of 400 cattle were used. Out of these 386 animals were examined coprologically including 86 animals that were later examined under post mortem and 14 animals were examined only with postmortem examination. The overall prevalence of lungworm infection in the study was 3.1 and 0 in coprological and postmortem findings respectively. Age sex breed and management systems were taken as risk factors for the occurrence of lungworm infection. There were a significant difference in the prevalence of lung worm between different age groups and management systems P0.05 but not between breeds and sexes P0.05. The prevalence of lungworm was 4.2 and 2.5 in coprological examination results of females and males respectively and 0 in postmortem in males. Prevalence of 5.6 and 0 were observed in animals of 1-5 years of age and animals of above 5 years respectively. Highest prevalence was observed in extensive management system 9 as compared with semi-intensive 3 and intensive 0 management systems. In assesing the prevalenc between breeds it was found to be higher in cross breeds 4.8 than local breeds 2.8. It is concluded that prevalence of bovine lungworm in the study area is more associated with young stock in extensive and semi-intensive manegmnt systems. Therefore grazing management and regular strategic deworming of the whole herd with anthelimenthics rather than treating infested individuals is recommended.