About the Epizootic Situation on Major Helminthoses of Cattle Under Different Management Systems in Georgia

Abstract

The purpose of the research is studying the epizootic situation on major helminthoses in cattle under different management systems in Georgia.

Materials and methods. The epizootic situation in Georgia on major helminthoses in cattle subject to management systems and the altitudinal zonation of areas location was studied by coprological examination of animals. In 2014–2018, the cattle aged over 2 years held on pasture from March-April until November was studied in homesteads of 59 districts. Similar studies were performed at 19 farms owned by limited liability companies, homesteads and entrepreneurs. The livestock there is presented by Schwyz and Holstein; all processes of care, feeding and milking are mechanized.

Results and discussion. Currently, the major helminthoses in pasture cattle in Georgia are paramphistomidosis, fasciolosis, dicrocoeliosis, gastrointestinal strongylatosis and dictyocaulosis which infect 67.5% of the examined cattle. Paramphistomidosis and fasciolosis are found in 59.7 and 21.5% of the examined cattle respectively. With increasing elevation of the altitudinal zonation, the paramphistomidosis and fasciolosis prevalence rates reduce. In case of paramphistomidosis, the infection ranges from 78.4% (low elevation from 0 to 200 m above sea level) to 23.9% (the subalpine area from 1901 to 2300 m above sea level), and in case of fasciolosis, 28.2–8.1% respectively. The rest species of helminths infected cattle to a lesser degree. Dicrocoelium sp. was found in 2.7% of animals, gastrointestinal Strongylata in 6.3%, and Dictyocaulus sp. in 3.9%. Paramphistomum spp., Fasciola sp. and gastrointestinal Strongylata infected 1.2% of the examined cattle in the farms with stabled cattle.