COCCIDIAL AND HELMINTH INFECTIONS IN GOATS KEPT INDOORS IN THE NETHERLANDS

An investigation was carried out on coccidial and helminth infections in goats kept indoors on five farms in the Netherlands. The goats were individually sampled. Coccidial oocysts were identified and nematode eggs counted. Larval cultures were made and infective larvae identifie d to the generic or species level. The goats were divided into three g roups according to their age: kids, those weaned but not served, and o lder goats. Oocysts were found in 26 out of 27 kids (96.3%), in 52 out of 55 weaned but not served goats (94.5%), and in 72 out of 110 older goats (65.5%). Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae was the most common species in all groups with an overall prevalence of 82%, followed by Eimeria a rloingi (78%) and Eimeria aspheronica (53.3%). Other species present w ere Eimeria alijevi (50%), Eimeria christenseni (39.3%), Eimeria capri na (38.7%), Eimeria hirci (28.7%) and Eimeria jolchijevi (7.3%). Nemat ode eggs were seen on four of the five farms. It appeared that on two farms some goats, although now kept indoors, had been on pasture in th e past. These goats excreted low numbers of eggs of Ostertagia and/or Trichostrongylus, Strongyloides papillosus, Haemonchus contortus, Tric huris spp,and larvae of Muellerius capillaris. In goats that were kept exclusively indoors, infections with Strongyloides papillosus were fo und on two farms in the older group and on one farm also in the group weaned but nor served. On two farms Skrjabinema ovis was incidentally observed by the farmer in older goats. This was confirmed by faecal ex aminations on one farm. All kids were free of nematode infection.