The Goat As a Risk Factor for Parasitic Infections in Ovine Flocks

Small ruminants in northwestern Spain are frequently managed in mixed flocks. Sheep-goat joint management has not been considered a risk factor for parasite infection, so the main objective of this study was to establish if mixed management with goats supposes a risk factor for parasitic infections in ovine flocks. Two thousand and ninety-three sheep were sampled from 74 commercial meat ovine flocks for diagnostic of the main parasites. Goat contact was a risk factor for sheep to be infected by protostrongylids, , gastrointestinal nematodes and spp. In contrast, , , and Paramphistomidae prevalences were not influenced. Sheep-goat mixed management can be considered as a risk factor, since goats would act as a source of pasture contamination for interspecific parasites (protostrongylids, and gastrointestinal nematodes). In relation to host-specific parasites, such as spp., goats cannot be considered as a source for sheep, but competition for food and spaces between both small ungulates can suppose a reduced grazing area to sheep, provoking high environmental contamination and stress that facilitate their infection. Future epidemiological studies for parasitic infections in small ruminants should consider sheep-goat mixed management as a possible risk factor to be included in multivariate analyses.