Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Water Buffaloes Raised in the Notecka Forest Region (Poland)

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of infection with gastrointestinal parasites in water buffaloes raised in the Notecka Forest region in the Wielkopolska Province (Poland). Coproscopic examinations were performed between January and June 2009. The mean prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the water buffalo herd was 44%. Gastrointestinal nematodes (10%) and flukes (Fasciola hepatica - 32% and Paramphistomum cervi - 11%) were found in the examined animals. The high prevalence of infection with gastrointestinal parasites was caused by the lack of an appropriate helminth control programme. Despite the fact that they are raised on marshy meadows, where good conditions for parasites’ development exist, these animals were not systematically dewormed. It is necessary to devise a helminth control programme for the studied water buffalo herd.