The rising tide of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) poses significant challenges to goat farming, particularly across the Punjab region of India. A recent study has unveiled alarming statistics surrounding the prevalence of these parasites and the efficacy of conventional treatments among goats, which are pivotal to the livelihoods of many farmers.
Research conducted by the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University analyzed 1,962 fecal samples from goats spread across 17 districts of Punjab from June 2023 to September 2024. The findings revealed a staggering overall prevalence of 93.62% for gastrointestinal parasitism, highlighting the urgent need for effective management practices to safeguard this key agricultural sector.
Among the identified parasites, strongyles dominated the field, with 88.99% prevalence, followed by coccidia at 65.34%. The study reported concerning rates of mixed infections, with many goats demonstrating multiple parasite types concurrently. Quantitative assessments indicated varying levels of infection severity, with 48.05% displaying low-level infections, 14.43% moderate, and 37.51% heavy infections.
This alarming prevalence correlates directly with the treatments available. The study examined the effectiveness of three commonly used anthelmintics: fenbendazole, levamisole, and ivermectin. The results indicated disappointing efficacy rates, with recorded reductions of only 55.97%, 51.74%, and 62.63%, respectively. Most significantly, resistance to these drugs was found prevalent across the farms studied: 100% of farms showed resistance to fenbendazole and levamisole, and 94.1% to ivermectin.
Such resistance is attributed to several factors, including the indiscriminate use of these medications without proper veterinary oversight. Farmers often administer treatments based on availability and peer advice rather than scientific evidence, exacerbated by the continuous under-dosing due to lack of regulation. The high prevalence of GINs and the recorded resistance starkly highlight the urgent need for recalibrated treatment strategies.
Logistic regression analyses revealed various risk factors influencing infection rates, including seasonality, sex, age, and recent deworming history. Notably, infections spiked during summer months, with females and older goats showing significantly higher rates. Such demographic factors provide valuable insight for targeted intervention strategies.
The researchers articulated the necessity of shifting focus from solely chemical treatments to integrated parasite management approaches. The high prevalence of GINs necessitates innovative strategies, including the integration of non-chemical control measures like biological control using nematode-trapping fungi, moderated grazing practices, proper nutritional supplementation, and selection of resistant goat breeds.
"The high prevalence of GINs in Punjab state can be correlated with the resistance recorded against all commonly used anthelmintics," the study emphasizes, underscoring the urgent need for policy reform and farmer education on sustainable practices. The insightful data gathered will provide policymakers, veterinarians, and farmers with the necessary tools to adopt judicious use of medications and implement effective control measures.
Conclusively, as gastrointestinal parasitism continues to threaten the sustainability of goat farming, fostering the development of integrated and economically viable parasite management strategies will be imperative for the region. The collective efforts of farmers, veterinarians, and researchers must pivot toward educating stakeholders on effective practices to bolster the health of goat populations and, by extension, protect the economic well-being of the farmers relying on them.