Influence of Internal and External Parasites on Pre and Post Weaning Performance of Camel Calves (Camelus Dromedaries) at Errer Valley, Eastern Ethiopia

This experiment was conducted at Errer Valley, Harmya University camel research herd, eastern Harrarghe zone from August 2008–June, 2009. A total of 20 (9 female and 11 male) camel calves of 2 to 6 months of age were used for the study. The treatments were weaning at 6(T1), 8(T2), 10(T3) and 12(T4) months of age. T1, T2, and T3 were supplemented with concentrate consisting of a mixture of 60% wheat bran and 40% Guzietia abyssinica, nougseed cake (at 1.6 kg DM per 100 kg body weight) from the respective weaning age up to 12 months. The highest prevalence (83.33 %) and highest EPG (2908) of faeces were observed during the rainy season than during the dry season which was 59.26 % and 919, respectively. However, there were no significant (P> 0.05) differences in prevalence and EPG of faeces among all treatment groups and calf sex. Mean packed cell volume (PCV) of camel calves in the study area was 21%. Examination of larvae count showed five types of gastro intestine intestinal parasites (GIP) in the study animals. The parasites identified were Haemonchus spp, Trichostrongylus spp, Strongyloides spp, Nematodirus spp and Trichuris spp with prevalence of 80%, 80%, 73.33%, 6.67%, 6.67%, and 6.67%, respectively. Relatively, the parasite infestation was higher in T3 (39.6%) and lower in T1 (14.67). Mange mite prevalence was the highest for supplemented camel calves in T1 (80%) followed by animals in T3 (60) and T2 (40) while it was the lowest for T4 (20%).In general, EPG count revealed that calves in all treatment groups were equally highly infested, but the effect of parasitic infestation was well manifested in those camel calves supplemented for short period of time (T3) and those not supplemented (T4).15% mortality observed in T3 and T4 might be the lack of resistance to disease parasites and malnutrition where as those supplemented for more than 4 months might have developed resistance against parasite disease. It is thus recommended that pastoralists should be aware and oriented about importance of supplementary feed to calves in order to save the life of animals since effective prophylactic drug and curative treatments may costly and not available to the pastoral.