Parasitic diseases in game enclosures and farmed ungulates – prevalence, therapy, and anthelmintic resistance

The prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases should be a key component of management in game enclosures and farmed ungulate operations. Parasitic diseases can negatively affect daily weight gain, body condition, and the overall phenotype of the animals. This proposed project aims to comprehensively map the prevalence of serious gastrointestinal, hepatic, and pulmonary parasitic infections in ungulates kept in game enclosures and on farms. Subsequently, we intend to assess the efficacy of antiparasitic treatments in selected herds and identify resistant parasite species using *in vivo* and *in vitro* methods. We will also investigate the potential transmission of gastrointestinal parasites between domestic and wild ruminants sharing the same pastures, employing both morphological and molecular techniques. The project will provide baseline data on the prevalence of serious parasitic infections in ungulates in Slovakia, as well as management recommendations for game enclosures, farms, the Slovak Cervid Breeders Association, and the Slovak Hunting Union.