Amphistomiasis in Livestock in Haryana
Hardeep Kalkal1, Mahavir Chaudhari2 and 3Jai Bhagwan
1District Extension Specialist (Animal Science), KVK Sirsa, CCS HAU, Hisar, 2Extension Specialist, PVK, Sirsa, 3 Assist. Prof., Deptt. of Medicine LUVAS, Hisar
Farmers in Haryana engage in animal husbandry practices like cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and other livestock being the primary animals. Some people’s livelihoods depend heavily on these animals. These animals often graze in areas which have access to water sources. Water collected during rainy season accumulates in roadside ditches also in and around leftover agricultural lands which is also source of a drinking water for these animals. The point here is that our livestock spend more time near these water sources, where they graze and also excrete dung. So, when we talk about fluke disease which spreads through waterborne snails which comes in contact with the dung having fluke eggs.
Amphistomiasis: Amphistomes are a type of fluke (flatworm) that reside in the stomach of livestock. They resemble pomegranate seeds and measure from 0.5 to 2 mm in size. They have both oral and ventral suckers.
Life Cycle: The eggs of Amphistomes enter water bodies with animal dung from which miracidiumrises, a specialized ciliated larva. These miracidia penetrate specific aquatic snails known as Indoplanorbis and Gyraulus. After 30-75 days, cercariae emerge from these snails. These cercariae encyst on grass and plants near water sources. They can remain viable on these plants for 30 to 180 days. When animals graze on these plants metacercariae which have developed from cercariae, excyst in the duodenum where the young flukes attach and feed for about 6 weeks, before migrating forward to the rumen where they mature. The prepatent period is between 7 and 10 weeks.
Harm to Livestock: Amphistomes is an underdeveloped state cause severe damage to the animal’s small intestines, leading to loss of appetite and decreased milk production. Additionally, livestock can experience diarrhoea due to the weakening of their digestive systems.
Symptoms: The key symptoms of this disease include loss of appetite, anaemia, fluid accumulation in the lower abdomen, reduced milk production, thickening of dung with the presence of immature flukes resembling small pomegranate seeds, conjunctival yellow-white discoloration and apparent anaemia. If neglecting these symptoms can lead to death of animal.
Prevention and Control: Preventing the contamination of water sources with animal dung is crucial to prevent the disease’s spread. This can be achieved by using cow dung in biogas plants or converting it into compost. Additionally, the use of copper sulfate (0.1%) in ponds and water bodies can help control snails and ducks, which eat snails, can be introduced. Capturing snails using small traps and drying them in sunlight is another method.
Animals should not be allowed to graze near stagnant water bodies, especially during the monsoon season. It is advisable to conduct regular checks for parasites in livestock, especially from November to February.
Treatment: If animals show symptoms, consult a veterinarian for appropriate treatment. Oxyclozanide at a dosage of 10 ml/kg of animal, under the supervision of a veterinarian, is a common treatment option.
