Prevalence of endoparasites among goats in maldives

An abstract of the research paper presented to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, in partial requirement on the course DVT 44603 – Research Project. Endoparasite infections in goats have a deleterious effect on animal health, causing clinical and subclinical illnesses that can result in monetary loss and a decline in overall production. Goat husbandry has not been a big agricultural enterprise in the Maldives due to difficulties in management, which stem primarily from a severe lack of animal husbandry skills and knowledge among the farmers. Additionally, no scientific surveys or studies on goats in the Maldives have been done, and there are no data regarding the presence or absence of parasites and pathogens in the goat population of the Maldives. Thirty two faecal samples were taken from six goat farms in Naifaru, Maldives and tested for the presence of endoparasites by direct faecal smear, simple faecal flotation and faecal sedimentation. The result of this study shows while Eimeria spp was present, no helminth parasites were detected in the goat population of Maldives. This may be due to a few factors and needs further examination in future studies.
Keywords: Goats, Endoparasites, Prevalence, Maldives