Corprological and Haematological Profile of Polo Horses Stabled in North - Central Nigeria

Abstract

The Gastrointestinal (GI) nematode parasite status and haematological profile of polo horses stabled in North – Central Nigeria was investigated in this study. One hundred and thirty (130) adult polo horses were randomly selected for the study. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and assessed to determine the Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Red blood cell (RBC) counts, White blood cell (WBC) counts and other blood parameters. Faecal samples were also collected from each animal and screened for Gastrointestinal (GI) nematode parasites. The results showed that the mean PCV of the horses was slightly elevated when compared with normal ranges of values. Other blood parameters fell within the normal range of values documented by other researchers. Faecal screening revealed a high GI nematode parasite prevalence of 67.69% in the examined horses, with three (3) nematode parasite species being detected. Strongylus spp was most prevalent (43.08%), followed by Oxyuris spp (21.54%) and Strongyloides spp (13.08%) with least occurrence. There was however no significant alteration of the haematology of examined horses which could be attributed to the presence of observed GI nematode parasites.