Gastrointestinal nematodes are an important impediment in goat husbandry and the efficient management of these parasites is hampered by the development of anthelmintic resistance. The present investigation was carried out to determine the prevalence

and anthelmintic resistance in five districts of the two agroclimatic zones (ACZs, viz., NCP (north-central plateau) and NECP (northeastern coastal plain) of Odisha during a period of 6 months (January 2019 to June 2019). From two ACZs, a total of 526 faecal samples of either sex, different age groups, and breeds were collected and examined qualitatively and quantitatively in the laboratory. A questionnaire survey was conducted on usage of anthelmintics. The status of resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes against Fenbendazole was carried out by in vivo faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and in vitro Egg Hatch Assay (EHA) test. Out of the 526 faecal samples examined, 377 samples were found positive leading to an overall prevalence of 71.77%. The prevalence pattern of different gastrointestinal nematodes revealed a higher presence of Strongyle sp (63.30%) over Strongyloides sp (20.64%) and Trichuris sp (16.05%). Single infection (57.82%) was more common than mixed infection (42.17%). The survey revealed dependence of benzimidazoles. The results of the anthelmintic resistance study indicated benzimidazole resistance in NCP and NECP agroclimatic zones.

Highlights

• Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes (>70%) in goats of agroclimatic zones of Odisha.
• Detection of anthelmintic resistance against fenbendazole in two districts.