Journal of Basic and Applied Research International

Epidemiological survey of Caprine gastrointestinal helminths was carried out at Peshawar, Pakistan from January to June, 2014. Fecal samples were collected from different localities from domesticated and farmed environments. 800 samples were tested in total out of which 392 were reported positive. Standard parasitological techniques were used to identify the parasite eggs. The overall prevalence of helminths in all the groups of goats was 49%. Overall prevalence for male and female goats was found to be 57.5% and 40.5% respectively. Farmed goats in total had a prevalence rate of 27.5% as against domesticated 70.5%.  Domesticated male goats were found with a prevalence of 88.5% while female domesticated goats with 52.5%. Farmed male goats have a prevalence of 26.5% as against farmed females 28.5%. Pure Nematode infestation was most prevalent 36.13% followed by Trematodes 8.13% and Cestodes 4.5%. Sample study for domesticated male and female goats was found to contain 15 helminths species.  Male domesticated goats were found to have highest rate of infection. The most prevalent parasites found were Trichuris spp. (20%) followed by Cooperia spp. (16.15%) and Haemonchus contortus (13.07%) and others. The study depicts that below standard unhygienic conditions of domesticated goats render them more vulnerable to parasitic infections. The findings can be used to sort out and minimize the risk factors for the gastrointestinal infections in both farmed and domesticated goats of either gender.