DERAJAT INFESTASI DAN KEANEKARAGAMAN PARASIT SALURAN PENCERNAAN PADA KERBAU (Bubalus bubalis) DI EKOSISTEM PETERNAKAN KELAYANG

Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Politeknik Negeri Jember

Abstract

Swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) play a critical socio-economic role in smallholder farming systems in Kelayang District. However, their productivity is often hindered by gastrointestinal endoparasite infections, leading to a decline in physiological condition and production performance. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, determine infection intensity (Egg Per Gram/EPG), and identify the diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in swamp buffaloes in Kelayang District, Indragiri Hulu Regency. A quantitative survey-based approach was employed, sampling 84 swamp buffaloes selected through proportional random sampling across four high-density villages (Pasir Beringin, Polak Pisang, Kota Medan, and Pulau Sengkilo). Fresh fecal samples were examined at the Veterinary Laboratory and Animal Clinic of Riau Province using a combination of McMaster and Sedimentation techniques. The overall infestation prevalence was 38.1% (32/84). The highest prevalence was observed in Pasir Beringin Village (46.7%), whereas Pulau Sengkilo recorded the lowest (31.3%). Female buffaloes exhibited a higher susceptibility (40.0%) than males (33.3%). The identified parasites belonged to Trematoda (Paramphistomum sp., Fasciola sp.) and Nematoda (Haemonchus sp.). The parasite egg burden fell within the mild-to-moderate category (<1,000 EPG), with village-level cumulative burdens ranging from 500 to 3,300 EPG. These findings highlight the necessity of implementing integrated livestock management, environmental sanitation, and strategic anthelmintic treatments to control parasite transmission under semi-intensive rearing systems.

Keywords: Bubalus bubalis, Gastrointestinal, Helminthiasis, Kelayang, McMaster, Prevalence.