STUDIES ON EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HAEMATOBIOCHEMISTRY OF COMMON DISEASES OF DONKEY (EQUUS ASINUS
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Date
2016
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AAU, Anand
Abstract
Donkey constitute an important group of livestock. The donkey have a unique
place in the Hindu mythology. World donkey population is estimated to be around 43
million. Almost half of the world donkey population is found in Asia, over one quarter in
Africa and rest mainly in Latin America. China has highest donkey population followed
by Ethiopia. The Total donkey population in the India is 3,19,000. Amongst India, the
donkeys populations in different states which including Rajasthan (81,468), Uttar Pradesh
(56,643), Gujarat (38,834), Maharashtra (29,315) and Bihar (21,377). Gujarat ranked at
3rd position and contributed 12.18% in India.
Donkeys are considered to be excellent pack animals for transporting heavy loads
in the hills, desert and plain areas in countries such as India, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia,
Persia and China. In tropical countries such as India, they are the cheapest and easiest
means of transport, suiting needs of washer man, potters, house builders, brick
manufactures and vanjara engaged in earth work till today.
“STUDIES ON EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HAEMATOBIOCHEMISTRY OF
COMMON DISEASES OF DONKEY (EQUUS ASINUS)”
In this study, total 354 donkeys faecal samples were examined for endoparasitic
infestation, 22 donkeys were examined for dermatitis, 80 donkeys were screened for
haemoprotozoan parasites, 49 donkeys treated for colic, 35 donkeys were showing sign of
lameness, and 330 cases were screened for glanders
Amongst the endoparasitic infestation, the prevalence of ova of Strongylus spp.
was higher 30.50% (108/354) than ova of Parascaris equorum 14.97% (53/354). The
prevalence of oocyst of Balantidium coli was 10.73% (38/354) while prevalence of
oocyst of Eimeria leukarti was 6.5% (23/354).The prevalence of larvae of Strongyloides
westeri higher 13.55% (48/354) than the larvae of Cyathostomum spp. 4.23% (15/354).
Among the dermatitis, 27.27% (6/22) prevalence was due to Demodex equi. On blood
smear examination, 32.5% (26/80) donkeys were positive for Trypanosoma evansi. The
prevalence of colic was 10.91% (49/449).The prevalence of lameness was 7.8% (35/449)
and wound/abscess was 4.0% (18/449).
Amongst various age group, high prevalence of endoparasites 85.71% (132/154),
colic 42.85% (21/49), lameness 62.85% (22/35) and abscess 38.89% (7/18) was observed
in adult group while the higher prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi 56.25% (9/16) was
observed in yearling group of donkeys and highest prevalence of dermatitis was 33.33%
(2/6) was observed in aged group of donkeys. According to sex, the prevalence of
endoparasites 82.38% (145/176), colic 48.97% (24/49) and abscess 44.44% (8/18) was
recorded higher in female whereas the high prevalence of dermatitis 28.57% (4/14) and
Trypanosomea evansi 36.84% (14/38) was observed in male and the higher prevalence of
lameness 11.42% (4/35) was observed in gelding donkeys.
Acoording to health condition wise prevalence of endoparasites,
dermatitis, lameness and abscess were 88.67% (94/106), 37.5% (3/22), 42.85% (15/35)
and 50% (9/18),respectively and it was observed in donkey kept in poor health condition
According to hygienic condition wise, the presence of endoparasites, dermatitis, colic,
lameness and abscess were 88.65% (172/194), 36.36 (4/11), 42.85% (21/49) 40.00%
(14/35) and 44.44% (8/18),respectively and it was observed in donkey kept in poor
hygienic condition. According to housing pattern wise, the prevalence of endoparasites
and wound/abscess were 91.05% (112/123) and 2.54%(9/18), respectively and it was
higher in donkey kept in kaccha housing whereas the prevalence of dermatitis 36.36%
(4/11), Trypanosoma evansi 38.88% (14/36), colic 5.36% (19/49) and lameness 3.9%
(14/35) was higher in donkey kept in open yard.
In endoparasitic infestation, no apparent sign of endoparasitic infestation was
observed but some donkeys for endoparasites showed the sign of inappetance and poor
growth. In dermatitis, the lesion started more or less with the formation of raised skin
area mostly over both side of chest, fore quarters, hump, and both sides of neck, under the
neck, at the jaw, face and under the belly. The typical signs observed in mild to severe
colicky donkeys were repeatedly lying down, starching out of the body with legs, all four
legs kept on sky direction, looking back at flank region, rolling from side by side. In
clinical cases of lameness donkeys showed the clinical sign or symptoms like unable to
get up, difficulty in walking, slower performance, holding a foot up, limping and
dragging a toe in abscess/wound The symptoms of abscess/wound was observed in
donkeys which are soft tissue swelling in the pastern region and it was also observed
above fetlock joint. The affected area are swollen and it was filled with some edematous
fluid.
Total 330 donkey were screened for glander by mallein test and all donkeys were
negative on mallein testing.
In endoparasitic infestation, the WBC was significantly (P<0.05) increased while
RBC, Hb and PCV value significantly decreased in infected donkeys as compared to
healthy group of donkeys. Lymphocyte count highly significantly increased while
neutrophil count highly significantly decreased in infected group of donkey as compared
to healthy group of donkey. The MCV value non significantly increased in infected group
of donkey as compared to healthy group of donkeys.
In dermatitis, the WBC and MCV significantly(P<0.05) increased while RBC,
Hb, PCV and MCHC value significantly decreased in infected donkeys as compared to
healthy group of donkeys. In trypanosomosis, the WBC, lymphocytes and MCV highly
significantly (P<0.01) increased in infected group of donkeys as compared to healthy
group of donkeys.The haemoglobin concentration value highly significantly decreased
(P<0.01) in infected group of donkeys as compared to healthy group of donkey. In colic,
the WBC, lymphocytes and MCV significantly(P<0.05) increased in infected group of
donkeys as compared to healthy group of donkeys.The MCH and MCHC significantly
decreased in infected group of donkeys as compared to healthy group of donkeys.
In lameness, the WBC and MCV significantly (P<0.05) increased as compared to
healthy group of donkeys. The MCV highly significantly (P<0.01) increased in infected
group of donkeys as compared to healthy group of donkeys.In wound/abscess, the WBC
and MCV significantly (P<0.05) increased while RBC,PCV, and MCHC significantly
decreased in infected group of donkeys as compared to healthy group of donkeys. The
haemoglobin level highly significantly (P<0.01) decreased in infected group of donkeys
as compared to healthy group of donkeys.
In the present study, serum biochemical analyses of diseased donkeys were also
carried out. In endoparasitic infestation calcium and total protein significantly decreased
(P<0.05) in infected group of donkeys as compared to healthy group of donkeys. The non
significant difference was observed in phosphorus, albumin, globulin, SGOT and BUN in
infected group of donkeys as compared to healthy group of donkeys. The SGPT level
highly significantly (P<0.01) increased in endoparasitic infected group of donkey as
compared to healthy group of donkeys. In dermatitis, the SGPT level significantly
(P<0.05) increased while calcium, phosphorus and total protein, albumin, globulin and
albumin:globulin level significantly decreased in infected group of donkeys as compared
to healthy group of donkeys. In trypanosomosis, the SGPT and BUN level significantly
(P<0.05) increased while calcium, phosphorus and total protein level significantly
decreased in infected donkeys as compared to healthy group of donkeys.
In colic, the SGPT level significantly (P<0.05) increased in infected group than
healthy group. The calcium, phosphorus and total protein, albumin globulin,
albumin:globulin, SGOT, creatinine and BUN non significantly decreased in infected
group of donkeys as compared to healthy group of donkeys. In lameness, the SGPT,
SGOT and creatinine level significantly (P<0.05)increased while calcium and total
protein level significantly decreased in infected group of donkeys as compared to healthy
group of donkeys.
Health economics being a relatively new specially in the epidemiology field has
received a due recognition. For developing countries, in the fact of present economic
crisis, its importance can be under stood. In present study, the average treatment cost for
endoparasites, dermatitis and colic were quantified to be Rs. 8,643/-, 5,412/- and 11,907/,
respectively. The overall treatment cost for all disease condition was Rs. 25,962/.
According to age, market value was calculated and losses due to mortalities was
Rs.73, 500/-.
Priority should be given for the development, evaluation and validation of a
highly sensitive, cheap, simple and specific parasitological, serological and nucleic acid
based diagnostic tool to distinguish infected and non-infected donkeys. More ever
positive relationship between the daily income and the health status and working ability
of a donkey related the importance of keeping a donkey in good health order to generate
high return.
Description
Keywords
veterinary science, veterinary medicine, study