Occurrence of nematodiasis in Holstein Friesian dairy breed

Abstract

Study was conducted from October 2008 to April 2009 to assess the prevalence of nematodes in Haramaya 
University dairy farm, Ethiopia. Coprological method (floatation, fecal culture and EPG) were used. Of 172 
Holstein Friesian breed examined animals, 54% were positive with 18, 57 and 62% prevalence in calves, heifers 
and adult, respectively showing significant difference (P<0.05) where odds of nematode is 6 in heifers and 7 in 
adult, than in calves. Overall EPG prevalence of 35.5% of which 15.7% low and 19.8% moderate infections were 
observed. EPG prevalence of 10, 35 and 44% were registered in calves, heifers and adult, respectively. Major 
prevalent genera’s are Trichostrongylus (37%), Haemonchus (11.6%), Oesophagostomum (11%), Stronglyloides 
(6%), Trichuris (1.2%), Cooperia (2.3%) and Lungworm (0.5%) using fecal culture. Thirty (17.44%) of animals was 
infected with pair of identified genera’s. Hence, nematodes are prevalent in the farm; management and age were 
found as important risk factors for incidence. No heavy but, moderate infections were observed. This results in 
sub-clinical case which reduced animal performance and increase susceptible to other disease without notice 
from economic point of view. Therefore, indoor feeding, strategic deworming, rotational grazing with further 
study on the impact of nematodes in dairy animals are recommended.