Evaluation of three strategic parasite control programs in captive wild ruminants

A smart economic way to control camel parasites and improve camel production in Egypt

Treatment of the parasites in camels strategically by administration of the specific drugs (Ivomec 1% SC injection, Amprolium hydrochloride orally, Naganol SC injection and Deltamethrin, poure on) at a specially selected time concerning the transmission season of Nematodes, Coccidia, Trypanosoma, Ticks & mite infection respectively causes relief to the animal from the stress of the parasite, minimizes the number of eggs shedding, and improves its general health conditions. However, the present study designed and applied three selected treatment regimes to 300 parasitically infected and controlled camels in Middle Egypt. The first regime was performed by treating animals two times/year during the peak of infection; the first was in April against internal parasites, and in July against external parasites. The second program was conducted by treating animals three times/year; the first was in March against early-arrived internal parasites, the second was in June against external and internal ones, and the third treatment was in August against the rest of the external parasites. Furthermore, the last suggested regime was applied by applying 4 treatments/year: the first was in February against the internal parasites, the second was in May against the early infection by external parasites as well as the remaining internal parasites, and the third was in July against the external parasite. The fourth treatment was in September to eradicate the remaining internal parasite and keep the animal parasite-free during winter. Treatment was applied to the whole flock; however, the movement of treated and control animals was restricted. The study proved a significant decrease in the incidence and level of parasite burden in animals that received 3 and 4 treatments/year, associated with marked improvement in the mean body score, blood parameters, and rate of pregnancy and its related hormones, as well as enhancement in liver and kidney function parameters. The selection of 3 or 4 treatment regimens will be evaluated concerning their economic cost and total income after another year after each protocol's end.

Diversity and burden of helminthiasis in wild ruminants in Iran

This paper aimed to investigate the diversity and burden of helminthiasis in Ovis orientalis (n = 26), Capra aegagrus (n = 29) and Gazella subgutturosa (n = 24) grazed in 37 National Parks in 9 provinces of Iran. The organs and body cavities infected by helminths included gastrointestinal tract, peritoneal cavity, heart, liver and lungs. The contents were extracted and washed under running water and intestinal and lung-isolated nematodes were cleared in lactophenol and subsequently fixed, and cestodes were stained with alum carmine and mounted en face in Berlese's fluid under slight pressure between a microscopic slide and cover slip. The helminth species identified in this study include: intestinal nematodes (Marshallagia marshalli, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Ostertagia ostertagi, Nematodirus oiratianus, Nematodirella longispiculata, Skrjabinema ovis, Trichuris ovis, Trichuris discolor, Parabronema skrjabini), lungworms (Protostrongylus rufescens, Cystocaulus ocreatus), adult cestodes (Moniezia expansa, Helicometra giardi, Avitellina centripunctata, Stilesia globipunctata) and metacestodes (Cysticercus spp., hydatid cyst, Cysticercus tenuicollis). The proportion of the different helminth species ranged from low to moderate (3.45-46.15%) and the intensity of helminth isolation from the different ruminants ranged between 2 and 20. All the taxa identified in our study have been reported in wild animal species around the world. The presence of Cysticercus spp. with cardiac involvement in G. subgutturosa and all helminths of C. aegagrus was reported for the first time in Iran. A significant reduction was observed in worm burden, compared with previous studies in Iran, indicating changes in wildlife host-parasite systems, which can be linked to many reasons including climate changes, public health policies (e.g., strategic anthelmintic use in domestic ruminants), anthropogenic factors and environmental changes (e.g., urbanization or agricultural expansion, physical barriers), as well as vegetation growth and host availability.