PREVALENCE OF GASTRO-INTESTINAL PARASITES OF HORSE (EQUUS CABALLUS LINNAEUS, 1758) IN SEVEN VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF RUKUM DISTRICT, NEPAL

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites of horse in seven Village Development Committee (VDC) of Rukum district. It was carried out from March to November 2016. A total of 105 fecal samples of horses (79 males and 26 females) were collected by using opportunistic random method. The collected fecal samples were preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate and microscopically examined using concentration techniques. The overall prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites was 84.76% (89/105). The total number of genera observed during fecal examination was 12. Among them, Strongylus sp. showed the highest prevalence (51.42%) followed by Eimeria sp. (20%), Trichostrongylus sp. (14.28%), Trichonema sp. (13.33%), Parascaris equorum (10.47%), Balantidium sp. (9.52%), Dictyocaulus sp. (8.57%), Triodontophorus sp. (7.61%), Gastrodiscus sp. (6.66%), Oxyuris equi (4.76%), Entamoeba sp. (3.80%), Shistosoma sp. (1.90%) and unidentified nematode larvae (7.61%). Three genera of parasites; Shistosoma sp., Triodontophorus sp. and Dictyocaulus sp. have been reported for the first time in horses of Nepal. Present study showed higher infection rate in females (92.30%) than in male horses (82.27%). No significant association was observed between the prevalence of parasite rate with VDC (χ2 = 5.7161; p>0.05) and sex of animals (χ2 = 0.3346; p>0.05).


INTRODUCTION
Horses are prone to infestation by a mixture of internal and external parasites.They can harbor a great number of parasites without exhibiting any clinical signs (Claire & Masterson, 1987;Martin et al., 2007;Khan et al., 2015).More than 50,000 horses/asses population have been reported from 51 districts of Nepal with around 2000 horses/asses from Rukum district (SIONA 2013/14).Horses are exposed to various types of gastro-intestinal parasites resulting in significant morbidity and mortality (Hodgkinson, 2006;Goraya et al., 2013;Tilahun et al., 2014).Mortality of equines has been frequently associated with strongyles, tapeworms, ascarids, trypanosomes and Babesia sp.(Hodgkinson, 2006;Goraya et al., 2013;Tilahun et al., 2014).Research on gastro-intestinal parasites of horses/asses of Rukum district have not been done till date.Hence, present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in horses in seven eastern VDCs (Mahat, Morawang, Kankri, Kol, Taksera, Hukam and Ranmamaikot) of Rukum district, Nepal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study areas selected were Mahat, Morawang, Kankri, Kol, Taksera, Hukam and Ranmamaikot, which are situated in the eastern part of Rukum district.They are located at the distance between 58 km to 125 km from headquarter of Rukum.The altitude of study area varies from 1,000 m to 4,000 m above sea level and has subtropical to subalpine climate.(Thapa, 2012;Lilleso et al., 2005).The opportunistic random sampling study was conducted during March to November 2016.A total of 105 fecal samples of horses (79 from males and 26 from females) were collected from eastern seven VDCs of Rukum district.The fecal samples were preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate and packed in polythene bag having normal atmospheric temperature and transported to the laboratory of Central Department of Zoology, Kirtipur, Kathmandu.The fecal samples were subjected to the coprological examination by concentration technique (Floatation and Sedimentation).Approximately 3 gram of fecal sample was placed in a beaker with 42 ml of water and filtered.The filtrate solution was centrifuged for 5 minutes.The filtrate was saturated with NaCl and again centrifuged.The top mixture was examined by adding methylene blue and the sediment was stain with iodine solution to detect eggs, trophozoites and cysts of parasites.(Soulsby, 1982;Zajac & Conboy, 2012).The collected data were coded and entered into Microsoft Excel spread sheet.Data were statistically analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test with Yates continuity correction, performed by "R", version 3.3.1 software packages.

Prevalence of GI parasites in horses: Sex wise
Out of 105 horse samples collected, 79 were males and 26 were females.Sex-wise 65 males (82.27%) and 24 females (92.30%) were found to be positive.The study shows higher prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection in females but, there the difference was not statistical significant (χ2 = 0.3346; p>0.05).
In the present study area, most of the respondents were found to be not enough qualified for management of equines.Most of them used river water source for equines which made the horses vulnerable to different parasitic infections.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The present study shows that horses in Rukum district have mixed parasite infection.The horses were found to be susceptible to various GI parasites.Management practices and geographical differences can be considered as the important factors which influence the prevalence of GI parasites.Veterinary health program and appropriate prevention and control strategy actions supported by both government as well as private sector is necessary to minimize the gastro-intestinal parasites of horses.