[Helminthic cenosis of does in regions of Bulgaria]

Studies were carried out on the species composition of helminths as found in does in individual region of the Rhodope and Balkan Mountains and in the northeast part of this country. A total of 28 helminth species were found, belonging to 8 families as follows: class Trematoda--one family with one species; class Cestoda--one family with one species; and class Nematoda--6 families with 26 species. Most widespread were the species Chabertia ovina, with 82 per cent of infected animals; Spiculopteragia spiculoptera, with 74.1 per cent of infected animals; Ostertagia leptospicularis, with 66.6 per cent of infected animals; and Ostertagia asymetrica and Muflonagia podjapolskyi, with 33.3 per cent of infected animals. The necropsy of a doe, found in the region of the central Rhodope Mountains in a state of strongly manifested cachexia, revealed a massive Chabertia ovina infection. The severe traumatic and toxic inflammation of the intestines as caused by the parasite was characterized by oedema of the mucous membrane, with hyperaemia and pin-point hemorrhages. Similar Chabertia ovina infections were also found in does of other regions.