Abomasal nematodes of small ruminants slaughtered in Bahir Dar Town, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted during November, 2013 to March, 2014 to identify the species and to determine the burden of abomasal nematodes of small ruminants slaughtered in Bahir Dar town. A total of 384 abomasa (269 sheep and 115 goats) were collected and examined according to the standard procedures. An overall prevalence of 55.7% was recorded for abomasal nematodes of sheep and goats. The host specific prevalence of abomasal nematodes was 60.2 and 45.2% in sheep and goats, respectively. Two nematodes, Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus axei were identified both in sheep and goats. The prevalence of Haemonchus and T. axei was 53.5 and 48.7% in sheep and 43.5 and 26.1% in goats, respectively. Mean worm counts of Haemonchus spp. and T. axei were 413.5 and 225.3 in sheep and 316.5 and 71.3 in goats, respectively. Sheep had higher (P < 0.01) prevalence (48.7%) and worm burden (225.3) of T. axei compared to goats (45.2 and 71.3%). Both sheep and goats with lean body condition had higher (P < 0.001) prevalence and worm count for both Haemonchus spp. and T. axei compared to their counter parts with good body condition. The great majority of the infected sheep and goats were with light to medium degree of infection. This study adds information to the epidemiology of abomasal nematodes in Ethiopia and may be used in the design of control strategies. Key words: Abomasum, goat, Haemochus, sheep, Trichostrongylus axei