HELMINTH PARASITES OF MAMMALS IN THRISSUR ZOO
Loading...
Date
1999
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES Mannuthy - Thrissur
Abstract
An investigation on the prevalence of helminthic
infections among the wild mammals in captivity in the Thrissur
Zoo and also the variations thereof on account of season, age
and sex were carried out by regular faecal examination using
the concentration method of centrifugation-cum-sedimentation
technique, over a period of one year from May-'98 to
April-'99. Non-specific symptoms like general weakness,
debility, occasional diarrhoea, dehydration and respiratory
distress with cough were observed in a variety of mammals.
The overall prevalence of the' helminthic infection among
the mammals was 68.05 per cent. Carnivores had the highest
prevalence of infection (75.34%) when compared to herbivores
(67.47%) and omnivores (65.35%). Strongyle, Strongyloides
spirurid, ascarid, amphistome, Fasciola, Trichuris and
Parascaris infections in a variety of herbivores; strongyle,
Strongyloides, spirurid, Ancylostoma, Capillaria, Toxocara,
Trichuris, Metagonimus, Artyfechinostomum and Hymenolepis
infections in a variety of omnivores and Ancylostoma, Toxocara,
Toxascaris, Strongyloides, Capillaria, spirurid,
Diphyllobothrium, Hymenolepis and Paragonimus infections in a
variety of carnivores were observed.
A few specimens of Haemonchus contortus were recovered
from the abomasum of a 6 year old female balckbuck during
post-mortem examination.
The overall prevalence of infection among the mammals was
higher in the rainy seasons (South-West and North-East
monsoons) than in the dry season. The prevalence of infection
was higher in the adults of herbivores and omnivores than in
the young ones of both the: groups. The prevalence was also
higher in the males of herbivores and carnivores than in the
females and was more or less equal in both sexes of omnivores.
Treatments with Fenbendazole and Pyrantel Pamoate were
effective against gastro-intestinal nematodes in camels and in
Asiatic lions respectively.
Control measures for the helminthic infections in the zoo
mammals have also been sugcfested.
Description
Keywords
null
Citation
KVASU reference style