Prevalence of coccidia and gastrointestinal nematode infections in cross bred goats in the dry areas of Sri Lanka.

The prevalence and intensity of oocysts of coccidia, particularly Eimeria species, and eggs of gastrointestinal nematodes in kids (2-4 months), young goats (5-12 months) and adult goats (>1 year) were determined in five large herds managed extensively in five villages in the dry zone. Of the representative samples examined, oocysts were found in 88% of kids, 91% of young goats and 83% of adults. Seven species of Eimeria were identified in faecal samples by salt flotation. Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae (31%), E. alijevi (29%) and E. arloingi (21%) were the most common species in all age categories. Other species encountered were E. christenseni (7%), E. jolchijevi (6%), E. hirchi (3%) and E. aspheronica (1%). Gastrointestinal nematode eggs were found in 89% of the kids, 94% of the young goats and 84% of the adult goats. Identification of gastrointestinal nematodes revealed Haemonchus contortus (90%) followed by Oesophogostomum spp. (8.5%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (1%) in all three age categories examined. Both Eimeria and gastrointestinal nematodes were found in 77% of the kids, 86% of the young goats and 71% of adult goats. The mean oocyst counts per gram of faeces in kids, young goats and adult goats were 9728, 1946, and 2667, respectively. The oocyst counts were not different significantly between age groups (P>0.05). The mean egg counts per gram of faeces in kids, young goats and adult goats were 1217, 1641 and 1092, respectively. The egg counts in kids were significantly lower than that in young goats (P<0.05). The intensity of Eimeria and gastrointestinal nematode infections between herds were significantly different (P<0.01).