Parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE) in a sheep farm

Introduction

Parasitic infections constitute an important group of diseases in sheep concerning the

health status, welfare and productivity. Parasitic gastroenteritis (PGE) is a disease
complex associated with a number of nematode species (mostly strongyles), either singly
or in combination. It is characterised by diarrhoea, less than optimum productivity (subclinical disease), seasonal appearance and hypoalbuminaemia. Strongyle nematodes are
the main cause of PGE in grazing animals and, in particular, those found in two
superfamilies; Trichostrongyloidea and Strongyloidea. Non-bursate nematodes are rarely
responsible for PGE, although Strongyloides species (a member of the family
Rhabditoidea) may sometimes contribute to the disease.
Materials and Methods
In the present case study, a sheep farm affected with parasitic gastroenteritis has
been reported and discussed.
A semi intensive sheep farm consisting of
lambs, ewes and rams has been
considered under present case study. The source of fodder for the flock is the fodder land
around the farm. The lambs were recently procured from another farm. Mortality of
lambs was very high since then as reported by the owner of the farm.
All the animals were subjected to clinical examination. Representative samples of
whole blood with and without anticoagulant were collected for hematology and serum
biochemistry respectively. Representative samples of dung were also collected for
parasitic examination.
Results and Discussion
On clinical examination, the animals were found dull, weak, emaciated with bottle
jaw (Fig.1), diarrhoeic with pale conjuctival (Fig. 2) and oral mucous membranes. Fecal
examination revealed severe mixed infestation with strongyle and strongyloides ova
(Fig.3).
The hematological and serum biochemical parameters recorded are shown in
Table 1 which revealed severe anaemia, eosinophilia, hypoproteinemia and
hypoalbuminaemia.

25.25

0.55

0.85

0.64

1.29

(g/dl) Albumin

51.25

Total Protein (g/dl)

23.5

(%) Basophils

10

Monocytes (%)

Eosinophils (%)

(thousands/cmm)TLC

Lymphocytes (%)

0.11 0.31

Neutrophils (%)

PCV(%)

Hb (g%)

(millions/cmm)TEC
1.5

1.62

1.63

0.13

0.24

In the present case study, anaemia was recorded in all the cases by clinical
examination which also correlated with the hematological findings. Since the parasites
suck blood, anaemia and attendant symptoms are seen. Animals are unthrifty, do not feed
and do not gain weight. Anaemia may be dyshemopoietic as the parasites in the gut
depresses absorption and cause various deficiencies, resulting in anemia. In some cases, it
may be anaplastic due to exhaustion of bone marrow caused due to chronic hemorrhages
in the gut by blood sucking parasites (Sastry, 2001).
Elevation of eosinophils in circulating blood is common in parasitic infections. In
the present case study too, eosinophilia is recorded. Eosinophils kill the parasites by
degranulating i.e depositing of eosinophilic basic protein onto the parasite cuticle
(Cheville, 1988).
In the present case study, hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia are recorded.
Hypoproteinemia occurs due to internal plasma loss due to gastroenteritis and diarrhea
caused by internal parasites. Hypoalbuminemia in parasitic gastroenteritis occurs due to
selective loss of albumin (due to its small size) in gastrointestinal disease due to internal
parasites. The hypoalbuminemia of intestinal parasites is aggrevated by increased
albumin catabolism (Kaneko, 1997).
PGE is of considerable economic importance in grazing livestock. It is a potential
welfare problem, particularly on organic farms. Losses are associated with the cost of
replacement stock, disruption of breeding programme, impaired productivity e.g. weight
gain, wool clip, milk yield etc, the treatment of clinically affected stock e.g. drugs,
labour, veterinary bills and finally, prophylaxis (prevention) e.g. drugs, labour, pasture
management (Kelkele et al. 2012)