Studies on Prevalence of Toxocara vitulorum Infection in Calves

The present study was conducted on some aspects of prevalence of Toxocara vitulorum infection in calves in different localities in and around Guwahati during the period from January 2013 to December 2013 with the objectives to study the prevalence of Toxocara vitulorum infection in calves. A total of 1120 faecal samples collected from cattle calves were examined for detection of Toxocara vitulorum eggs by using floatation method, from different localities in and around Guwahati. The overall prevalence of Toxocara vitulorum was found to be 26.16 percent. The season-wise prevalence Toxocara vitulorum infection was found to be highest (33.71 %) in monsoon season and lowest (15.25 %) in pre-monsoon season. The sex-wise prevalence was higher (31.09 %) in female calves than that of male (20.31 %) calves. The age-wise prevalence was recorded highest (49.23 %) in the age group of 0-30 days, followed by 31-60 days (39.38 %), 61-90 days (29.82 %), 91-120 days (18.85 %), 121-150 days (12.93 %), 151-180 days (9.23 %) and above 180 days (2.33 %) respectively. The breed-wise prevalence was higher (27.89 %) in local calves than cross-bred (23.54 %) calves.