Prevalencia de parásitos gastrointestinales en terneros del cantón Santo Domingo, Ecuador

The main objective of this research was to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in calves from birth to 35 weeks of age in the canton of Santo Domingo, through standard parasitological tests of flotation and sedimentation. The population sample consisted of 381 calves belonging to 54 farms distributed in 7 parishes of the canton that were georeferenced using Google Earth. Fecal samples were collected directly from the anus for coprological analysis in the laboratory of the Instituto Superior Calazacón. Prevalence was obtained in 48.8% of the animals sampled, presenting the following parasites: Nematodes (39.90%), Protozoa (13.39%), Cestodes (7.09%) and Trematodes (0.26%). Prevalence distribution was the same among parish categories regardless of the type of parasites (P=0.429). Regarding the risk factors studied, the mestizo breed was more prone to parasitism than other breeds (P<0.05 and Odds ratio of 2.27), Savoy pasture was also identified as a source of parasitic infestations (P<0.05 and Odds ratio of 2.325) and finally milk consumption proved to be a protective factor (OR value=0.55). In conclusion: georeferencing contributed to achieve a better sanitary monitoring of the canton, the assumptions that the most important type of parasitism in calves was Nematosis were sustained, the crossbreeding of breeds does not ensure hybrid vigor (loss of resistance) and finally, feeding plays a fundamental role in the contagion of calves, grazing animals allow to ensure the life cycle of the parasites.