The Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences 19(1): 2009, Pages: 17-19 ISSN: 1018-7081 PASSIVE SURVEILLANCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN BUFFLAOES OF MANDI BAHAUDDIN AND GUJRAT DISTRICTS OF THE PUNJAB Khalil-ur-Rehman, K. Javed * M.T. Tunio ** and Z. H. Kuthu *** Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Mandi Baha-ud-din, Punjab, Pakistan * Department of Livestock Production, UVAS, Lahore. ** Allama Iqbal Open, University Islamabad. *** Department of Animal Husbandry, Azad Kashmir. Corresponding author: drjaved_khalid@hotmail.com ABSTRACT The study was carried out to find out the occurrence of parasitic infestation in buffaloes in Mandi Baha-ud-din and Gujrat districts of the Punjab. A total of 28880 faecal samples were examined in diagnostic laboratories from 1994 to 2004 out of which 26408 (91.44 percent) were positive for different parasites during the study period. The prevalence of trematodes, nematodes, cestodes and mixed infestation in buffaloes was 49.01, 28.55, 7.08 and 15.19 percent, respectively. Maximum prevalence was observed from January to September, while minimum parasitism was observed from October to December. The results of the present study indicated that there was heavy worm load present in buffaloes causing huge economic loss to the farmers by reducing milk production and retarded growth. The worm load can be minimized through better housing and husbandry practices besides use of proper anthelmintics. Key Words: Cestodes; Nematodes; Trematodes; Buffaloes; Pakistan INTRODUCTION Pakistan has population of 27.3 million of buffaloes, which play an important role in the national economy of the country and are the major source of meat and milk. Out of total milk (38.38 million tons) produced in Pakistan, 64% comes from buffaloes (Anonymous, 2008). There are some factors which affect the production performance of buffaloes. Among these diseases caused by different viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites are of importance as they cause great economic losses in terms of mortality and decreased milk production. It is an established fact that parasitic diseases present a far greater threat to the livestock than visible outbreaks of the diseases. These dormant infestations adversely affect the whole flock or herd leading to retarded growth rate, lower milk yield, milk quality, causing unthriftness, poor furnishing and predisposing for bacterial/viral diseases due to stress and body damage. Economic losses may be obvious like death, wasting condemnation of parts used as human food and hidden losses like reduced live weight gain, poor feed conversion, reduced lactation and poor fleece etc. Internal parasites constantly affect the production and health of livestock. Nematode infestation lowers the resistance of animals and predisposes them to secondary infestations (Soulsby, 1982). Durani (1965) estimated 470 million Rupees annual economic losses caused due to parasitic diseases of animals in Pakistan. However a complete and accurate knowledge about the incidence and taxonomy of these parasites is the utmost need for their effective control and in order to boost up the productive performance of buffaloes and cattle in districts Mandi Baha-ud-din and Gujrat. Keeping in view the above objective, the present project was executed to estimate the magnitude of different types of parasitic infestation in the buffaloes in districts of Mandi Baha-ud-din and Gujarat. MATERIALS AND METHODS The major population of the districts of Mandi Baha-ud-Din and Gujrat belongs to rural areas and 80% livestock farming and agriculture are the main professions in which they are directly or indirectly involved. This area is rich in livestock especially the Nili Ravi buffaloes, which are mainly raised for milk production. A diagnostic laboratory for diagnoses of different diseases is working in Gujarat, were all the samples are sent for diagnosis from different parts of the two districts. The study was carried out in buffalo population to find out the occurrence of parasitic infestation in Mandi Baha-ud-Din and Gujrat districts of Punjab province from July 1994 to June 2005.The weather of the study area is hot and humid from April to September, with mercury touching 48 o C regularly, while during winter it dips down to as low as 5 or 6 o C. The study areas are situated in between two rivers i.e. River Chenab and Jhelum. The soil is fertile and irrigated with canals and sub soil water. The area is full of cultivated 17