Vol. 9, Issue 10, Part G (2025)

Haemonchus contortus, a highly pathogenic gastrointestinal nematode of small ruminants, continues to cause significant economic and production losses in tropical and subtropical regions. This study was conducted at the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Mamnoor, Telangana, from January 2022 to December 2024 to determine the prevalence and pathological changes associated with H. contortus infection in sheep and goats. A total of 121 post-mortem cases were examined; 19 animals were positive, indicating an overall prevalence of 15.7%. Gross findings included poor body condition, pale mucous membranes, submandibular and abdominal edema, abomasal mucosal pallor, catarrh, and hemorrhages with firmly attached parasites. Histopathological lesions varied with severity, ranging from mucosal edema and hyperplasia to degeneration, necrosis, eosinophilic infiltration, and cirrhotic changes in severe cases. Morphological identification confirmed the distinct “barber’s pole” pattern in female worms. The study highlights the continued prevalence, characteristic pathological lesions, and potential role of H. contortus in causing anaemia, hypoproteinemia, and immunosuppression in small ruminants. Increasing anthelmintic resistance further complicates control measures, emphasizing the need for integrated management strategies.