Lungworm occurence and the physical condition of wild boar in middle Somogy

Abstract

Lungworm (Metastrongylus spp.) occurrence and the physical condition of wild boar (Sus scrofa ferus) was examined in two boar enclosures (fenced areas) and the surrounding open area of middle Somogy county, SW-Hungary, in the 2003/04 and in the 2004/05 hunting season. During the hunting season (November - January) animals that were shot were investigated at the carcass collecting sites. Worms were collected from the lungs (lower airways) and were counted using a stereomicroscope in the laboratory. Kidneys and kidney fats were collected at the carcass collecting sites, too, and were measured with digital scales. A quantitative parasitology 2.0 program was applied for the statistical analysis. Lungworm occurrence of boars shot in Sásostó (n=66) showed 81.8% prevalence with 42.3 mean and 22.5 median intensity and 34.7 mean abundance. Boars shot in Tótfalu (n=63) had 54.0% prevalence with 25.9 mean and 15.0 median intensity and 13,6 mean abundance. The open hunting area boars (n=47) had 63.8% prevalence with 41.2 mean and 19.5 median intensity and 26.3 mean abundance. Significant (P<0.05) difference was proved between the open hunting area and the Sásostó enclosure as well as between the two enclosures in the prevalence and mean abundance. According to the age groups, there were no significant differences among the three sample groups in the prevalence, mean intensity, median intensity and mean abundance. In the case of kidney fat index, (KFI) individuals animals were separated into two sexes. The piglets were in the worst conditions (KFI: 1.99), the yearlings were in middle conditions (KFI: 2.45) and the adults were in the best conditions (male: 3.44; female: 4.42). In respect of KFI, only the adult sows’ value differed significantly (P<0.05). On the basis of the above findings,it is thought that at most one anthelmintic treatment (either with albendazole or ivermectin) during the summer is enough to avoid the outbreak of a serious lungworm disease.