Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Nematodiasis and Comparative Efficacy of Anthelmintics on Body Weight of Cattle in Bangladesh

In cattle, parasites cause serious loss of production in Bangladesh. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodiasis and effects of the anthelmintics on body weight of 1.5-3 years old cattle. A total of 52 cattle, 30 were heavily infested with gastrointestinal nematodes which were identified by faecal examination to determine the eggs by direct smear, flotation methods and Egg Counting Mc. Master Methods. Among 30 cattle 20 were selected on the basis of clinical symptoms and randomly divided into four equal groups. Group A, B and C were treated with Albendazole (Helmex-vet ® ) 7.5, Fenbendazole (Peraclear ® ) 7.5 and Levamisole (Ralnex ® ) 7.5 mg/kg body weight orally. Group D was kept as infected control. In present study Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Trichuris, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum and mixed infections were observed before treatment. The prevalence was highest for Haemonchus (17.31%), followed by mixed infections (13.46%), Trichostrongylus (9.61%), Oesophagostomum (7.69%), Trichuris (5.77%) and Bunostomum (3.85%). A significant (p<0.01) reduction of EPG count on 7 th ,14 th ,21 st and 28 th day of Helmex-vet ® (46.91%, 72.84%, 84.44%, 93.58%), Peraclear ® (46.67%, 71.67%, 83.33%, 90.56%) and Ralnex ® (49.27%, 72.82%, 93.93%, 85.80%) of treated cattle of group A,B and C respectively. EPG counts of untreated control group were increased 3.37%, 6.75%, 8.13% and 9.69% on 7 th ,14 th ,21 st and 28 th day respectively. The body weight was increased significantly (p<0.01) after Helmex-vet ® , Peraclear ® and Ralnex ® treatment in group A,B,C (2.2%, 1.9% and 2.19%) respectively. On the other hand body weight was reduced to the extent of 0.82% in the control group D after 28 days.