Fascioliasis and hypodermatosis in cattle from farms of the Kaluga region

Objective of research: The study on the prevalence of fascioliasis and hypodermatosis in cattle from agricultural farms of different forms of ownership (Joint-Stock Companies, Ltd., private farms) in the Kaluga region. Materials and methods: The infection with fascioles was determined by examination of animals of different ages (which were previously in pasture) in the stall period not earlier than December and up to the beginning of the grazing season. The method of subsequent washings and the method of Vysniauskas were the main research methods used at the Station for Animal Diseases of the Ferzikovsky district of Kaluga and at the All Russian Scientific Research Institute of Helminthology named after K.I. Skryabin. Examinations were carried out once a month on 20 animals of different age groups: offspring under 1 year, offspring under 2 years, heifers, first and second first and second calving cows, third calving cows and older. During examinations, besides fascioles and their eggs, cestode and gastrointestinal nematode eggs as well as coccidia oocysts were calculated. Together with the veterinary service of slaughtering and meat processing plants, we conducted dissection of livers, calculated the number of young and adult flukes. We experienced no problems with their determination. Adult flukes (length of 2-3 cm, width of 1cm) parasitize biliary ducts of the liver. Young flukes were found more often in the bile ducts had the length of 0,5-1,2 cm. During dissection of the liver, flukes were collected with forceps to Petri dishes with physiological salt solution, and then adult and young flukes were identified. 461 head of cattle, which were previously in pasture, were dissected and investigated in 2013 in the Kaluga region to determine Fasciola infection. We studied calves from two years and cows up to 7 years of age. Dissections were conducted quarterly in January, April, July and November. To determine the invasion of cattle from the above mentioned farms with larvae of Hypoderma bovis, 150, 100, 50 and 20 animals of different ages (from 1,5 to 7 years) received in autumn no preventive treatment over two years upon agreement with the State Veterinary Service of the Kaluga region and the Station for Animal Diseases of Ferzikovsky district. Levels of infection (EI, II) in animals were estimated in spring (April-May) of the following year. After discussing of the results, animals were treated with the preparation recommended against hypodermatosis. Analysis of experimental data by the method of Plohinsky N.A. was conducted. Results and discussion: The highest extensity of infection was detected in the JV «Iskra». 186 animals of different ages which were previously in pasture were examined; 95 (51,1%) were infected. The average number of Fasciola eggs in 1g of feces was 176,4 ind. In the second farm «Ferzikovsky Ltd.» 153 animals of different ages which were previously in pasture were examined by the methods of coproscopy; 63 of them were infected with Fasciola spp.; extensity of infection was 41,2%. The average number of Fasciola eggs in 1 g of feces was 29,2 ind. In both farms the average extensity of infection was 46,1%, while the average number of Fasciola eggs in 1g of feces was 152,3. In peasant farm economy of Kopylov A.S. 114 animals which were previously in pasture were examined in different time periods; 36 of them were infected with Fasciola spp.; EI was 31,5%; the average number of Fasciola eggs in 1 g of feces was 105,2. On average 115 animals of different ages were examined and dissected each four months; 40 of them were infected; EI was 34,8%. The average number of flukes in each infected animal was 32,1 ind.; 25,2 ind. in imaginal and 6,9 ind. in pre-imaginal stage. The highest IE (40,5%) and II (38,4 ind/head) were determined in November. The average number of flukes for each infected animal was was 38,4 including 23 adult flukes 15,4 young (pre-imaginal). Our research revealed that all year round liver, gall bladder, and bile ducts are mostly infected with adult flukes. According to the results of our research the average EI was 34,8%, the average II was 32,1 ind./head. The short analysis revealed that in four above mentioned farms of the Kaluga region, totally 220 animals which were previously in pasture were examined; 12 of them were infected with warble fly larvae; average EI was 5,3%, and the average number of warble fly larvae was 5,5 ind./head