Abstract
One thousand faecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of buffalo calves of both the sexes upto one year of age from in and around Livestock Production Research Institute, Bahadur-naga,r (Okara). It was found that 76.7% faecal samples were posi-tive for the presence of gastro-intestinal parasites. The incidence wa,s higher (80.9%) in males than. in females (74.4%) and it was also higher in calves of 1-3 months age as compared to those above 3 months old. Eggs per gram of faeces ranged from 200 to more than 1200 in the present study. Strongyloicle8 papalosue, Neoaicaria vitutorum, Oesophagostomum radiatum, ostertagia atterirsgi, Bun08- tomum phlebotomutn, liaemonchas contort us, Netnatairus 8pps, Mo-niezia benedeni, Moniezia expansa. and Eimeria app. were the gastro-intestinal parasites found in buffalo calves.
INTRODUCTION
It is an e8tablished. fact that the gastro-intestinal parasitic infections es-p:Tially in buffalo calves is one of the major constraints in buffalo production. These parasites are responsible for loss in body weight, decreased feed. efficiency, reduced growth rate, delayed maturity, poor body condition, unthriftiness, anao# mia and low r.:!sistarica to variou3 other diseases. Although Livestock Production Research Institute (L I), Bahadurnagar (Mara) and the surrounding areas are among the major milk producing pockets in the Province of Punjab, yet no report regarding the incidence of gastro.intestinal parasites infecting buffalo calves is availabie. The present study was conducted to know the specific incidence of gastro-intestinal parasites in buffalo calves. It'd results will provide a guide-line for deworming strategies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One thousand buffalo calves of both the sexes upto one year age kept
*Livestock Production Research Institute, Baliadurnagar (Okara). **University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
