GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF BOVINE AND CAPRINE LIVESTOCK IN QUECHULTENANGO, GUERRERO, MÉXICO

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasitosis impacts livestock production, causing a delay in growth, decrease in milk production, reproduction and poor food conversion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in bovine and caprine livestock in the locality of Quechultenango, Guerrero, México. Fecal matter samples were collected in two seasons, rainy (June and July) and dry (February and March); the sample was taken from the animal’s rectum and examined through the methods: direct, simple sedimentation and Kinyoun tincture. A questionnaire was applied to livestock producers to obtain information about the animals (age, sex, breed, and zootechny purpose). The livestock analyzed was 119 bovine and 101 caprine, from ranches in the locality. A total prevalence of 91.8% (202/220) was observed. For each sampling season, it was higher (bovine and caprine livestock) in the dry season (49.0 %), per type of livestock, in bovine (94.1%, 112/119). The prevalence in bovine livestock was very similar in the two seasons (rainy 47.8%, dry 46.2%); in caprine, it was higher in the dry season and with greater parasite diversity (rainy 36.6%, dry 52.4%). Regarding the parasites, protozoa were more frequent in bovines, such as coccidia, including Cryptosporidum spp. In caprine, coccidia showed a higher number and diversity of species. The statistical analysis showed association (p<0.05) between the variables age and sex in caprine and gastrointestinal parasite presence. The species of highest importance were E. zuernii, E. parva and E.bovis, and of nematodes, Trichostrongylus spp., species related to severe diarrhea in the livestock studied. The dry season favors the presence of a higher number of gastrointestinal parasite species and animals infected.