Incidence of helminthes infestation in small ruminants in three Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Sheep and goats traditionally managed are usually neglected in terms of development programmes including the determination of their parasitic loads. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the incidence of helminthes infestation in small ruminants in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of 1800 faecal samples of sheep and goats were collected from June to September, 2020 in three Local Government areas namely Shendam, Mikang and Langtang South. Two hundred (200) samples were collected from each village given a total of 600 samples per LGA. Samples were collected inside white polythene leather, location, species, sex, age and season were carefully labeled. Microscopic examinations of faecal samples were carried out using standard laboratory methods of floatation and sedimentation techniques. Data was analyzed using Chi square test. The results showed that 60.00% of the faecal samples were infested with helminthes and 40% were negative. Majority (34.60%) of the positive samples had mixed parasite infestations while 25.40% had singled infestations. Shendam LGA had the highest (p<0.001) incidence (78.50%) helminthes infestation while Langtang South had the lowest (50.20%). The females’ sheep and goats were significantly infested (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively) higher (61.00%) than the males (55.20%) while the adult sheep and goats (7 months and above of age) were highly significantly (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) infested higher (57.40% and 63.70%, respectively) than the young (0-6 months of age) (50.60% and 60.20%, respectively). The sheep and goats infested in the wet season were significantly (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) higher (76.50%) than in the dry season (43.20%). It may be concluded that 60% of the sheep and goats studied had incidence of helminthes infestation. Therefore, proper housing, feeding, grazing systems, stocking density among other management practices are recommended to improve the productivity of sheep and goats in the area