Determination of Parasitic Load in Government Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan

This study was conducted to determine the parasitic diseases in Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm, Harichand. For this purpose a total of 234 blood samples and 100 fecal samples were collected from different breeds, age and sex of cattle and screened for endo-parasites. Giemsa stained thin blood smears were used for haemo-protozoan while for gastrointestinal parasites direct examination and floatation technique was used. Incidence of haemo-parasitic diseases was recorded as 18 and 28% for Theileria and Anaplasma, respectively while incidence of intestinal parasites were recorded as 12, 8 and 9% for Trichostrongylus, Bonostomum and Monezia bending, respectively and 53% were recorded as mixed infections. Incidence of haemo-parasitic diseases was found significantly higher (P<0.05) in exotic and cross breeds cattle. Haemo-parasitic diseases were found significantly higher (P<0.05) in female while no significant differences (P>0.05) was recorded with respect to age, though occurrence was higher in adult animals. Gastrointestinal parasitism was significantly higher (P<0.05) in female and young animals while no significant differences (P>0.05) was recorded breed wise. It can be concluded from the results that indigenous breeds of cattle offer significant resistance to onset of haemo-parasitic diseases while exotic and cross bred animals are easy targets for these dreadful diseases. Various therapeutic and managmental measures should be adopted for complete eradication of parasitic diseases in farm.