Detection of Internal Parasites in Turkeys in Erbil city

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic turkeys and infection rates of gastrointestinal parasites infesting turkeys and the relationship with their ages. Seventy-one dropping samples were randomly collected from turkeys reared in Erbil city from April 2019 to the end of June 2019. To diagnose the parasites using wet cotton swabs, fifty swab samples were collected from the oral cavity, esophagus, and crop. Coprological examinations of the samples were carried out in the Laboratory of the Parasites/ Veterinary Medicine College / University of Mosul. The results also showed that the total percentage of infection with gastrointestinal parasites was 35.21%. Five nematode species were recorded in Erbil city turkeys, Heterakis gallinarum 28%, Capillaria spp. 24%, Trichostrongylus spp. 16%, Strongyloides avium 12% and Ascaridia galli 4%. Furthermore, Eimeria spp. of intestinal protozoan was diagnosed, with a 48% infection rate. Strongyloides avium larvae were detected in the turkeys' oral cavity swabs, with an infection rate of 4.0%. Results showed higher infection in > 8 weeks ago) (40%), 4 weeks age (30.76%), and 8 weeks age (27.77%). While the result of this indicates significant variations in the infection rates between the age of > 8 weeks and each of the ages of 4 weeks and 8 weeks. The study revealed that the majority of infection was single infection (76%), followed by double infection (16%), and mixed infection (8%).