Production system dynamism and parasitic interaction of swine in and around Holetta, Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was conducted in and around Holleta from October 2007 to April 2008 to assess the system of production and the prevalence of gastrointestinal and ectoparasites of swine. A total of 1470 swine on 50 farms, 667 swine under extensive management and 823 swine in semi-intensive management were considered on the study. Swine were kept along with other livestock in 24% of the farms. A total of 388 swine with different age and sex groups were subjected to parasitological examination to study the prevalence of parasites. The result of faecal sample and skin scraping test revealed three species of gastrointestinal and one ecto-parasite. The findings were Ascaris suum (13.9%), Eimeria species (5.6%), Oesophagostomum species (6.7%) and Sarcoptes scabiei (16.2%). Mixed infection was observed on 13 swine, among them 2% were positive for Ascaris suum and Eimeria species, where as 1.14% were positive for Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum species. There was variation in the distribution of these parasitic infections in different areas but not statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in the infection rate of gastrointestinal and ecto-parasites between male and female swine as well as among the age groups. The occurrence of Eimeria species and Oesophagostomum species was significantly different (p Keywords: Ectoparasite, GIT-Parasite, Swine Production, West Shoa