Concurrent infection and seasonal distribution of gastrointestinal parasites in cross-bred cattle of Sirajganj district in Bangladesh

Introduction reproductive performance including calving rate and calf mortality [6]. Report revealed that 50% calves up The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of animal to 1 year of age died due to gastrointestinal parasitism harbours variety of parasites particularly helminthes in Bangladesh [7]. Potential economic loss resulting and ciliates which cause clinical and sub clinical from gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections is parasitism. Gastrointestinal parasitism is the most clearly recognized by producers and veterinarians, as important diseases encountered by livestock sector of evidenced by the fact that approximately 99% of Bangladesh and thought to be one of the major feedlots and 69% of dairies use a parasiticide in their constraints in development of dairy cattle worldwide operations [8]. GI parasitosis is neglected in many [1, 2]. Gastrointestinal parasites not only affect the cases, as most of the parasitic infections are health of cattle but also affect the productive and subclinical. It is reported that at least two third of the reproductive performance, loss in body weight, total livestock population of Bangladesh are infected digestive disturbances, and emaciation for longer subclinically with parasitic helminth parasites [9]. period [3, 4]. In dairy cows, parasitic infections reduce Subclinical diseases are often ignored resulting in milk yield between 1.2 and 2.2 kg milk/cow/day [5]. heavy economic loss. The economic losses due to Infections also negatively impact carcass quality and subclinical problems in the livestock population are significantly higher than clinical problems in individual animals [10]. The extent of infection and co-infection of gastrointestinal parasites varies depending upon Veterinary World, EISSN: 2231-0916 Available at www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.6/Oct-2013/5.pdf