Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

6

Authors: Unigwe C. R., Balogun, F. A., Olona, J. F., Nwufoh, O. C. and Odah, I. S.

A study on the prevalence of fecal helminth parasites in adult WAD goats was carried out in five different areas of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of fecal helminth parasites of goats in some areas including Gbekuba, Adabeji, Adifase, Owode and Lade-Owo as well as the genera distribution of faecal helminth parasites of goats in the study area. A total of 22 faecal samples per area were collected summing up to 110 samples from 110 goats. Simple floatation technique was used to identify eggs of parasites in the faecal samples and the eggs examined under light microscope for typing. Out of the 110 fecal samples, 78 (70.91%) of them were positive for helminth endo-parasites including five genera of nematodes: Ascaris spp (56.36%), Strongyloides spp (2.73%), Trichuris spp (0.91%), Nematodirus spp (2.73%) and Trichostrongylus spp (1.82%) and a genus of trematode: Fasciola spp (6.36%). The results showed that Ascaris spp was the most prevalent followed by Fasciola spp, Trichuris spp, Nematodirus spp, Strongyloides spp and Trichostrongylus spp. It is therefore recommended that routine deworming should be embraced using broad spectrum anthelmintics particularly against nematodes and trematodes to bring to minimal or possibly stamp out endo-parasites from the study area.

7

Authors: M. M. Adua, K. O. Idahor and U. M. Sambo

In Nigeria, cattle, sheep and goats are reared basically under extensive production system. In some cases, these animals irrespective of their species and breeds are reared together especially under the modified urban or peri-urban system, hence, the possibility of cross-transmission of gastrointestinal parasites resulting in heavy parasites burden. There are several reports on parasites control measures involving biological and cultural techniques even the use of unsafe chemicals. Yet, little or nothing is known about sex, age and breed as physiological status in gastrointestinal parasites control strategy. Hence the present study was aimed at investigating the susceptibility of ruminants based on sex, age and breed-type. In order to achieve this, a total of 2, 400 ruminants (1, 500 cattle, 450 sheep and 450 goats) that have not been dewormed for at least 6 months prior to the study were examined. Faecal samples were collected from 800 ruminant animals (500 cattle, 150 sheep and 150 goats) based on sex, age and breed-type each which were processed for microscopic examinations. Results showed that 43.4% (bull), 41.6% (cow), 18.7% (ram), 16.6% (ewe), 11.3% (buck) and 14.0% (doe) were infected with gastrointestinal parasites. In all the species examined, each age category was infected and the young ones were observed to seemingly exhibit more susceptibility than the adults. The prevalence rate of gastrointestinal parasites varied between 22.4 and 62.6% in cattle breeds, 3.3 and 16.0% in sheep while 6.0 to 8.7% was recorded in goats. It was observed that Haemonchus, Fasciola and Strongyle species infected the cattle while, Entamoeba, Moniezia, Paramphistomum and Haemonchus species were found in both sheep and goats. In each case, mixed infections were recorded therefore sex, age and breed may perhaps not play significant roles in gastrointestinal parasites control in ruminant animals reared in Lafia metropolis.