Prevalencia de nematodos en terneros de el cantón El Carmen.

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of nematodes in weaned calves in the canton of El Carmen, Manabí province, Ecuador. A descriptive methodology based on frequencies and percentages was used, with results presented in tables and graphs. The research was conducted in two phases: fieldwork and laboratory. During the fieldwork phase, faecal samples were collected via rectal stimulation from 140 calves originating from 18 farms. The samples were identified and transported to the laboratory for analysis. In the laboratory phase, the flotation technique using a sugar solution was employed. The solution was prepared with 1 litre of water and 4.54 g of sugar, heated in a water bath to ensure homogeneity. This technique allowed the separation of parasite eggs from faecal material, facilitating their observation under a microscope. The results showed that coccidian protozoa were the most prevalent parasites, affecting 74.32% (110) of the calves and present in 100% of the farms. Among the nematodes, Cooperia was the most common, identified in 68.92% (102) of the animals and in 77.78% of the farms. Other parasites detected included Strongylus (4.65%), Haemonchus (35.14%), Ostertagia (4.05%), and the cestode Moniezia (8.11%), which was present in 33.33% of the farms.The high level of parasitism in the calves highlights the need to implement more rigorous sanitary management programmes. These measures would not only improve animal health and welfare but also enhance the productivity of livestock farms in the region.