Patel, P. R.Jani, Rajeshkumar G.2018-05-282018-05-281998http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810047795Ascariasis in young buffalo calves is one of the main factors causing variable morbidity and mortality in subtropical countries like India. The present study was carried out from 1st June, 1996 to 31 May, 1997 in the four villages of Anand district, which embodies results of endeavours directed towards development of rural calf health surveillance system for generation of data through epidemiological surveillance in buffalo calves upto six months of age, to investigate clinicopathological changes and therapeutic regimes with a view to correlate prevalence rate, prognosis and early diagnosis so that proper control measures can be taken up viewing economic of losses due to ascariasis. A total of 744 buffaloes calves were screened through surveillance, of which 712 were studied as experimental group and remaining 32 buffalo calves as control groups. Out of 712 buffalo calves ascariasis was found in 325 (45.64 per cent) buffalo calves. The prevalence rate of ascariasis was found to be 45.64 per cent in buffalo calves. The extent and magnitude of prevalence indicated, 7.86 per cent mortality and 17.23 per cent case fatality. The significant (P<0.05) high prevalence rate was found in Surti breed (55.37 per cent), in the age group of 21 - 40 days (72.07 per cent) of male buffalo calves (53.68 per cent) with poor body condition (66.97 per cent) which were husbanded with poor hygiene (55.78 per cent) in open yard system (56.81 per cent) by landless labourers (65.66 per cent). The prevalence indicated significant (P<0.05) higher in third parity (63.95 per cent) of dams and in those 'calves which were not fed first colostrum after their birth (50.15 per cent) and in calves which were provided not enough amount (52.3 per cent) especially during monsoon season (70.08 per cent). Most of the affected calves were found voiding greyish white with foul odour faeces (58.5 per cent) with or without gross parasites. On clinical examination, the affected buffalo calves revealed partial to complete anorexia (57.23 per cent) with major digestive disorders (73.27 per cent). Clinical observations indicated subnormal rectal temperature (99.36 + 0.170°F) and slight rise in respirations rate (23.99 + 0.364 per minute). No significant difference in pulse rate was recorded in affected calves when compared with the field and farm control groups. The microscopic examination bf 325 faecal samples revealed 259 (79.69 per cent) samples with T. vitulorum ova, whereas, 66 (20.31 per cent) were with mixed infection of Strongyloides spp., Eimeria spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. Haematological study revealed significant (P<0.05) decrease in haemoglobin, total erythrocytes count and packed cell volume indicated mild to moderate anaemia in affected group of calves compared to field and farm control groups. Leucocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphopenia with eosinophilia in affected calves suggested localised infection with migratory tissue parasitic features. Significant (P<0.05) reduction in blood glucose, total plasma proteins and increase in level of blood urea nitrogen in affected calves were observed to that of field and farm control groups. Detection of larvae in the milk sample may suggest the possibility of transmission of parasites through milk. Significant (P<0:.05) high morbidity and mortality due to ascariasis was observed in hypo-or agammaglobulinaeraic calves. Mean egg per greun was found in the range of 5.4 to 15942. The therapeutic trials of anthelmintics indicated high efficacy of fenbendazole {96 per cent) followed by krumikuthar rasa (88 per cent) while ethnoveterinary medicine of whey and salt revealed 44.86 per cent efficacy on 9 week post therapy. The projected economic losses due to mortality, poor growth rate, reduction in milk yield and treatment cost was found Rs. 302.58 per calf in a population of 100 calves while it was Rs. 658.52 per calf in a population of ascariasis affected calves. The Benefit : Cost ratio;, (B/C) of fenbendazole derived as 13.44 and 29.26 for a population of 100 calves and 100 infected calves, respectively. Advice and recommendations were made to initiate suitable control measures and prophylaxis against ascariasis by regular deworming at second week after the birth of a calf and implementation of good hygienic approach to control the ascariasis. Review of literature, modalities of techniques and technologies put to use, the achievements, constraints and suggestions for future are detailed.enVETERINARY MEDICINEA STUDYThesis