Incidence of Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasite of Cattle in Ambo District, West Shoa, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, parasitic infections are among major constraints to animal production. Gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) parasites are one of the cause huge of economic losses (direct or indirect) to livestock. There is lack of well documented information regarding the prevalence and associated risk factors of GIT helminth parasite in the current study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November, 2017 to April, 2018 with the objective determining the prevalence of GIT helminth parasite of cattle in Ambo District, west Shoa, Ethiopia. A total of 384 fecal samples from different peasant associations of Ambo district were examined using flotation and sedimentation techniques. Out of 384 examined animals 182 animals were found positive for different GIT helminth parasite while 202 were found free from any gastrointestinal helminth parasite. The study revealed that the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthoses was 47.4%. Strongyles were the most prevalent parasites encountered in the area followed by Fasciola spps, and Monezia was the least prevalent. Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasite was higher in young, female, local and extensively managed animals. Age, sex, breed, management and body condition of the animals were shown to have statistical significance (p<0.05) with prevalence of GIT helminth parasites. This study showed that, GIT helminthes are major health problems of cattle in the study area. Therefore, during the control and treatment of cattle gastrointestinal helminthoses age, sex, body condition, breed and management system of the animals should be considered as potential risk factors for the occurrence of the disease in the study areas.