Lungworm Infection of Small Ruminant in Ethiopia: a Review

ABSRTACT Small ruminant is high in number and economically very important animal in Ethiopia. However, it is less productive due to morbidity and mortality from different parasite infection. Among this parasite infection, lungworm is the common parasitic disease of sheep and goat belonging to Metastrongyloidea or Trichostrongyloidea super families. From them, Dictyocaulus and Protostrongylus are causes of lungworm infection in ruminants. Inspite of its importance, there is little documentation and consideration in Ethiopia. To enhance the economic benefit of small ruminant, it is important to make proper diagnosis, treatment and control and prevention of lungworm. Therefore, this paper is to review the etiological characteristics, method of transmission, diagnosis, treatment and control of lungworm. The common causes of verminous pneumonia in sheep and goats are Protostrongylus rufescens, Muellerius capillaries and Dictyocaulus filaria. The first two are belong to Trichostrongyloidea while the last one is belong to Metastrongyloidea. These pathogenic parasites highly affect lower respiratory tract of sheep and goats, and leads to a chronic and prolonged infection. The epidemiology of lungworm disease is largely concerned with factors determining the number of infective larvae on the pasture and the factors that facilitate viability and development of larvae. The most common sign in sheep and goats are pyrexia, coughing, rapid shallow breathing, nasal discharge and emaciation with retarded growth. Diagnosis can be done by taking history and clinical sign followed by faecal examination for presence of larvae using Bermann technique. Anthelmintic treatment with grazing management and its usage as wjpls, 2016, Vol. 2, Issue 3, 22-43. Review Article ISSN 2454-2229