Programme for control of parasitic diseases of livestock in Kashmir valley

Abstract

The Valley of Kashmir has a vast exposure of natural meadows and highland pastures which provide a conducive environment for many pathogenic parasites to grow and pose the greatest challenge to the economic rearing of livestock. Parasites affect the health condition of animals in a variety of ways, some being hidden and some apparent. Their occurrence depends on the epidemiological risk factors and management practices adopted, one among them is the use of antiparastic drugs. The indiscriminate use of these antiparasitic drugs has led to development of resistance. Therefore, a proper deworming and ectoparasiticdal schedule should be followed to delay the spread and development of resistance against commonly available antiparasitic drugs. On the basis of epidemiological studies carried out over a period of more than a decade for various parasitic diseases of livestock in Kashmir valley, a prophylactic treatment schedule has been devised to prevent outbreaks of such diseases.