Strongyle nematode infections of donkeys and mules in and around Bahirdar, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2010 to May 2011 to determine the prevalence of strongyles in donkeys and mules in and around Bahir Dar town, west Gojjam administrative zone, northwest Ethiopia. Fresh faecal samples were obtained from 384 randomly selected donkeys (n=203) and mules (n=181). Coprological examination for the detection of strongyle eggs was performed using floatation technique. The over all prevalence of strongyle infection in both species of animals was 83.85% (322/384). In the two separate species; the infection rates were 85.08% (181/154) in mules and 82.75% (168/203) in donkeys. The infection rates of strongyles were 84.77% and 81.05% in adult and young animals, respectively, while in male and female animals the rates were 83.41% and 84.39%, respectively. However, in terms of age and sex, no significant differences were found between infected animals (P > 0.05). This study suggested that the high rate of infection with strongyle parasites could contribute to low performance and life expectancy of working equines in the region. © IDOSI Publications, 2012.