Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections of sheep and their interaction with selected morbidity parameters were studied in smallholder farms. 120 faecal samples were collected and examined using faecal flotation to determine nematode infection in sheep. Thus, the study demonstrated overall prevalence of 57.5% GIN infections, while the mean faecal egg count (FEC) was 517.5 EPG. The severity of GIN infection was determined based on EPG as a mild infection (EPG <500), 55.1%, moderate infection (EPG = 500–1500), 30.4%, and heavy infection (EPG >1500), 14.6%. Five genera of nematodes were identified using coproculture: Haemonchus (33.3%), Trichostrongylus (26.7%), Bunostomum (20%), Oesophagostomum (13.3%), and Cooperia (6.7%). A significant difference was observed in the mean FEC among the FC (P < 0.001), FAMACHA© score (P < 0.01), and the BCS of the animals (P < 0.001). FEC was positively correlated with the FAMACHA© score (FS), while FC and BCS were negatively correlated. Thus, FAMACHA© chart can suggest well the severity of nematode infections and can serve as a suitable on-farm tool to identify nematode-infected sheep and gives a guide to identify sheep that need to be treated with an anthelmintic.
Highlights
Ethiopia possesses one of the largest ruminant inventories, including more than million heads of cattle and million small ruminants [1, 2]
Poor body condition scored animals had a higher proportion of nematode infection than moderate and good body condition scored animals
The mean faecal egg count (FEC) values of the different body condition score (BCS) were significantly different from each other (P < 0.05)
Summary
Ethiopia possesses one of the largest ruminant inventories, including more than million heads of cattle and million small ruminants [1, 2]. As compared to large ruminants, small ruminants have many advantages for smallholder farmers via fewer feed costs, quicker turnover, easy management, and appropriate size at slaughter [3, 4]. Their productivity is still low compared to the population due to poor nutrition, diseases, and poor genetic makeup of the indigenous stock [1]. Infections with GIN affect the welfare of the animals and cause huge economic losses in livestock farming [7]. The most common GINs that affect small ruminants are Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Ostertagia, Cooperia, Bunostomum, Oesophagostomum, Chabertia, and Nematodirus [8]. There are potential threats associated with economic losses through lowered productivity, reduced animal performance and weight gain, retarded growth, a cost of treatment, and mortality [6, 9, 10]
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