Study on endoparasites of cattle and sheep from a silvosteppe area in southern Romania: preliminary data

Abstract

Endoparasite infection in ruminants has major economic impacts worldwide due to the losses caused by reduce the rate growth and productivity such as reduced milk and meat productions, and reproductive potential of animals. Geographical location, climatic conditions, age and anthelmintic therapy status of animals represent some of the risk factors for parasite infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the endoparasite fauna in cattle and sheep grazed in a silvosteppe area from Southern Romania. The study was carried out during April 2015 - May 2016. A total number of 51 dairy cattle (aged between 4 months and 10 years), and 63 sheep (of different breeds, aged between 6 months and 3 years) were included in the study. Animals displayed no clinical signs. For the both cattle and sheep, deworming was not carried out 2-3 months prior of the study. Fecal samples were collected and examined, first grossly, then using a sodium chloride flotation and sedimentation techniques followed by microscopy for identification of parasitic elements (helminth eggs, protozoa oocysts), Baermann method for detection of lungworm nematodes. The most prevalent parasite infections in cattle and sheep, respectively, were with strongyles (76.50% and 92.06%), including Nematodirus spp., followed by Fasciola hepatica (25.50% and 34.92%), Eimeria spp. (19.60% and 23.81%), Dicrocoelium lanceatum (5.90% and 42.85%.), and Moniezia spp. (3.90% and 19.04%). Additionally, sheep were positive also for lungworm larvae (36.50%). These findings indicate that internal parasites control should be implemented in the study area in order to avoid the productivity losses and to improve the animal welfare.