Prevalence of Strongyle Infection in Horses and Donkeys in and Around Dangila Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Strongyle infection is the most common and economically devastating disease of equine in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of strongyle infection and associated risk factors in horses and donkeys in and around Dangila town in Amhara Region. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to April 2014 to determine the prevalence of strongyles infection in horses and donkeys in the study area. A total of 384 horses and donkeys were examined for strongyle parasites. Fresh fecal samples were obtained from 384 randomly selected horses (n=24) and donkeys (n=360). Coprological examination for the detection of strongyle eggs was performed using simple test tube floatation technique. Results revealed that the overall prevalence of strongyle infection in both species of animals was found to be 5.73%. In each species it was found to be 4.92%and 5.83% in horses and donkeys respectively. The infection rates of strongyles were 4.92% and 10.17% in adult and young animals, respectively, while in male and female animals the rates were 6.12% and 5.32%, respectively. However, there was no statistical significant difference in prevalence of strongyle infection between age, sex and among body condition (P > 0.05). In conclusion, even though strongyle infection seems endemic in horses and donkeys in the study area, the present report is very low. This may be due to be the fact that the deworming program by Bahirdar donkey sunchery at the beginning and end of rainy season, in collaboration with veterinary clinics worked well and effectively in managing the infection.