PRELIMINARY-OBSERVATIONS ON INTESTINAL COCCIDIOSIS IN PASHMINA (CASHMERE) GOATS IN INDIA

Prevalence of coccidiosis in a flock comprising of 235 Pashmina (Cashm ere) goats, maintained in Kumaon hills at Mukteswar was studied. Eight species of Eimeria identified were E. arloingi (73%), E. ninakohlyaki movae (13%), E. parva 5% E. ahsata, E. faurei, E. crandallis, E. hawki nsi and E. christenseni. The later five speices; altogether contribute d 9% oocysts in faeces of the host. The intensity of infection, as jud ged from coprological oocysts counts per gram of faeces (OPG) exhibite d a clear age related susceptibility, with younger goats (<6 mo) havin g significantly higher OPG counts of 10(5)/g than aged goats (> 6 Ino) with OPG counts ranging between 2x10(2) to 13x10(3) g. The widely dif ferent variations in coprological OPG counts were not suggestive of se verity of infection and can not be considered as marker criterion for coccidiosis. Occurence of hawkinsi in Pashmina goats has been reported for the first time from the Indian subcontinent.