Incidence of microfilaraemia in horses from Panchagani, Satara district of western Maharashtra Kamdi Bhupesh2, Kundu K.1,2,*, Mote C.2, Khasnis M.1,2 2Department of Veterinary Pathology, KNP College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal, Satara-412801, Maharashtra, India 1Department of Veterinary Parasitology, KNP College of Veterinary Science, Shirwal, Satara-412801, Maharashtra, India *Corresponding author: e-mail: krishkundu03@gmail.com
Abstract The present investigation was planned to determine the incidence of microfilaraemia in horses and ponies. Out of total 30 animals from Panchgani screened, 12 animals revealed dermal problems. Detection of microfilaria in venous blood was performed by the Knott method, wet smear method and stained blood smear examination. Microfilaraemia was detected in 40% animals. All sheathed microfilaria detected were confirmed to be of Setaria spp. measuring 198–235 pm with a mean of 210.4 pm in length and 3.95–4.32 pm with a mean of 4.15 pm in width. A high percentage of infection was reported in animals with skin problem which was 41.67%. Haematologically, decreased hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and haematological indices were observed, whereas there was increase in total leukocytescountin comparison to microfilaraemia-negative cases. Top Keywords Horses, Microfilaraemia, Setaria equina, Maharashtra, Panchagani. Top |