Ascaris (Round worm)

• Ascarid worms are extremely common round worms whose adult forms are found in abundance in gastrointestinal tracts of animals, birds and man. Varieties of ascarid are found but most of them are host specific.

Etiology: – Each species of animal has its specific ascarid. Those are as follows: –

• Ascaris suum (suis) – Pig
• Toxocara vitulorum – Cattle & buffalo
• Ascaris lumbricoides – Man
• Parascaris equorum – Horse
• Ascaridia galli – Fowl, turkeys
• Heterakis gallinarum – Fowl, turkey, duck and other birds

These drugs have a coccidiostatic action, halt the onset of in member of flock. Other preventive medication consists of prolonged and continuous use of one of following in feed or water.

• Amprollium at the concentration of 0.0125 % in feed for 7 days
• Nicabazin 0.0125 %
• Ntrofurazone 0.005 to 0.01 %
• Sulphaquinoxaline 0.0125 %

Drug used against coccidiosis in poultry are

• Sulmet @ 30 ml /4 liters of water for two days and dose is reduced one half for another 4 days
• Cordrinal @ 4 gm/liter of drinking water
• Amprosol 20 % @ 30 gm/100 liters of water

Symptoms

• Heavy infestations of intestine with adult ascarid worm, usually cause digestive disturbances and poor growth in young animal.
• Immature worms which migrate through lungs, liver and other organs producing lesions.
• Emaciation, stunted growth and lower resistance to the other disease.
• Respiratory distress, cough and pneumonia are seen.
• Poor coat, diarrhea and occasionally colic pain are found.
• A marked oesinophillia is seen in early period of infection.
• Unthriftiness convulsions are found.

Prevention and control

• Periodic deworming with suitable anthelmics (piperazine, Haloxan, mebendazole, Albendazole etc.
• The animal shed should be clean and dry.
• Rotational grazing and periodic disinfection of pasture.
• Separation of young animal from the adult.