Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in free range yaks of north-western and central Bhutan

Abstract

In ruminants, including yaks, gastrointestinal (GI) related diseases may lead to high morbidity and mortality of animals and economic losses for the farmers, especially in areas with poor grazing conditions. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the GI parasites in free range yaks from Laya (west) and Saephu (central) block of Bhutan during winter. A total of 166 fresh faecal samples of yaks (west, 80; central, 86) from 28 herds (west, 14; central, 14) were collected to examine the presence of GI parasites, which was followed by face to face interview with herders related to animal health care services. The majority of the faecal samples of the yak were infected with the GI parasites. Three GI parasite species (Strongyloides sp., coccidia, and Trichuris sp.) in the faecal samples of yak were observed in both the regions and two GI parasite species (Strongyles sp., Balantidium coli) were also detected in yaks of the central region. More than half of the faecal samples had multiple parasite infections. The GI parasites burden (Strongyloides sp. and coccidia) were comparatively higher in the yaks of the central region than the yaks of the west. Moreover, a negative relation between the GI parasites burden and deworming frequency suggest that the deworming may be effective in controlling and reducing the GI parasites burden in yaks.