Prevalence, Hematology and Treatment of Balantidium coli among Small Ruminants in and Around Lahore, Pakistan.

Sheep and goats of Lahore district were examined for the prevalence, hematology and treatment of Balantidium coli. A total of 752 sheep and goats were examined (n=376 sheep; n=376 goats). Sheep had a somewhat greater prevalence (3.99%) than goats (3.46%). In both species, decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) and increased packed cell volume (PCV) was observed in infected animals. Efficacy of Secnidazole was higher as compared to Oxytetracycline and Metronidazole in all experimental animals. Balantidiasis is rarely studied infection in small ruminants and this is the first report published on the disease from Pakistan. It is still unclear whether this is an emerging infection, or whether it is a newly reported endemic in the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]