Prevalence and clinical impact of Toxocara vitulorum in Jaffrabadi buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis) in and around Junagadh, Gujarat, India

Randomly collected faecal samples from 380 Jaffrabadi buffalo calves of Junagadh district of Gujarat during period of July 2022 to July 2024 were examined to study the prevalence of Toxocara vitulorum. Parasitological investigations were conducted using direct and sedimentation technique. The overall prevalence of T. vitulorum was recorded as 27.36% while, significantly higher prevalence (p<0.01) was recorded in 0–3 months of aged calves (38.24%) compared to 4–6 months aged group (8.88%). No patent infection was recorded in calves aged more than six months. Sex-wise, the female calves (34.19%) had significantly higher prevalence (p<0.05) than males (10.18%). Similarly, infection was recorded highest in August (40.27%) while lowest in February (28.12%). Jaffrabadi buffalo calves (29.89%) had higher prevalence of T. vitulorum than other buffalo breeds (19.10%). Foul-smelling diarrhoea (100%), followed by mud-colored diarrhoea (94.23%), and blood-tinged diarrhoea (85.57%), were the major clinical symptoms. Sedimentation techniques showed higher sensitivity in comparison to direct faecal examination in diagnosis of T. vitulorum