Gastrointestinal helminths of small ruminants in Serbia

Abstract

During study of gastrointestinal helminths of small ruminants in Serbia, performed from 2010 to 2020 we collected fecal samples from 470 herds in various part of Serbia. Samples were colected at monthly intervals and we examined more than 6500 faecal samples. Examination was performed using standard coprological technique. During ten years 738 sheep and goats we were examined by post-mortem examination. Determination of adult parasites and eggs of parasites were done by morphological characteristic. During these investigations, the following GI helminths were found in sheep:: Haemonchus contortus, Teladorsagia (Ostertagia) circumcincta, Ostertagia trifurcata, Ostertagia ostertagi, Ostertagia occidentalis, Marshallagia marshalli, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus vitrinus, Nematodirus filicoliis, Nematodirus spathiger, Nematodirus abnormalis, Cooperia curticei, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata, Cooperia zurnabada, Skrjabinema ovis, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Oesophagostomum venulosum and Chabertia ovina. In goats, the presence has been establishedOstertagia circumcincta, O. ostertagi, Ostertagia occidentalis, Trichostrongylus axei, T. Colubriformis, T. capricola, Nematodirus spathiger, N. filicollis, Haemonchus contortus, Marshallagia marshalli, Skrjabinema ovis, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Chabertia ovina, Oesophagostomum venulosum i Cooperia curticei. The intensity of infection and polyparasitsm was monitored in relation to the age of sheep and goats. It was found that in younger animals intensity of infection was lower than that of older animals. The dynamics of the first appearance of established gastrointestinal strongylid species in both populations of small ruminants was as follows: in March in sheep faeces we have occurred eggs of Ostertagia sp., Trichostrongylus sp. and Nematodirus sp.. In May, were observed infection withBunostomum sp. and Chabertia spp. (ovina);. During June we had first record of Skrjabinema sp.. In Modern Trends in Agricultural Production, Rural Development, Agro-economy, Cooperatives and Environmental ProtectionJuly were established eggs of Haemonchus sp. (contortus) and Cooperia sp. finally, in October and Novembar, before withdrawing sheep from the pasture, we showed the presence of Marshallagia sp.