Prevalence of endoparasitic helminths of donkeys in and around Haramaya district, Eastern Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of endoparasites of donkeys in and around Haramaya district, East Hararghe zone of Oromia regional state. Coprological examination was carried out on fecal samples collected from 384 donkeys. Simple flotation, sedimentation and fecal culture techniques were used for the detection of eggs and larvae of helminth parasites. The overall prevalence of endoparasitic infection was 93.75% (n=360). Four species of helminths: Parascaris equorum (20.5%), Fasciola species (15.36%), Oxyuris equi (15.36%) and Dictyocaulus arnfieldi (21.88%) and two genera (Strongylus and Trichonema), were encountered. Identification of L3 of nematodes from coprocultured faeces of donkeys showed the predominance of strongyles species (65%), Dictyocaulus Arnfieldi (25%), and Oxyuris equi (10%). The high prevalence of helminth parasites noted in this study calls for regular monitoring and intervention measures such as strategic deworming of donkeys.