Gastrointestinal parasitic infections of ruminants in extensive management system in Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Parasitic diseases are major impediments and causes of mortality and morbidity in animals leading to drastic decrease in economic returns in livestock production. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among free–ranging ruminant species; with the objectives to determine difference in parasitic infection among ruminant species, and difference in parasitic infection between the sexes and age of the ruminant species. Random sampling method was used to collect small quantity of feaces from individual ruminants (n=54). Direct smear method was used to identify the eggs of the helminths in ruminant species. Chi-square test was used to test the hypotheses of the study. Higher prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite was found in Capra hircus relative to Ovis aries and Bos taurus. Both nematodes (Trichostrongylu ssp, Haemonchus contortus, Strongloides papillous, Sygamus larygenes and Ascaris sp; and trematodes (Fasciola gigantica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were found in the ruminant in this study. Trichostrongylu ssp and Fasciola gigantica showed higher prevalence than other gastrointestinal parasites. Young and female had higher infection of helminths than adult and male of the studied ruminant species. Preventing economic loss due to helminthic parasitic infections rely on available data, which in turn is paramount to guide effective coordination of animal health care system.