A comparative Analysis of the Gastro-Intestinal Helminth Parasites of Cattle in Awka and Obosi Abattoirs in Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

A comparative study was carried out on the prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminthes of cattle in Awka and Obosi abattoirs in Anambra State, between August and September, 2014. Fresh faecal specimens were collected from the rectum of 120 fleshly slaughtered cattle using universal specimen containers. arasitological examination of the faeces were done using direct smear and formal-ether concentration techniques. Out of 120 faecal specimens examined, 53(44.2%) of the cattle harboured gastro-intestinal helminth parasites. The prevalence of the intestinal parasites was higher in Obosi abattoir 33(55.0%) than in Awka abattoir 20(33.3%).The highest intestinal parasite encountered was nematode infection (26.7% in Awka; 31.7% in Obosi) and the least was cestode (15.0% in Awka; 21.7%in Obosi). Among the nematodes, Haemonchus contortus was common (10% in Awka; 11.7% in Obosi). Mixed infection recorded were 13.3% in Awka and 18.3% in Obosi abattoirs. White Fulani species had the highest infection rate in both Awka 10(16.7%) and Obosi abattoirs 14(23.4%) while the Red Fulani had the least prevalence in Awka3(5.0%) and Bokolo species 8(13.4%) in Obosi. Prevalence according to gender showed that females (20.0% in Awka; 28.3% in Obosi) were more infected than the males (13.3% in Awka; 26.7% in Obosi). The prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites was observed to be statistically significant with gender (P>0.05) but not with different breeds (P<0.05). Good management practices in cattle rearing will help to reduce intestinal parasites of cattle