Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of domestic ruminants amongst pastoralists in three Local Government Areas of Bauchi Western Agricultural Zone, Bauchi, Nigeria

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasite infections of ruminant animals cause economic loss to farmers and low nutritional value to consumers. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats and the relationship between the species, sex, age, location, season and breed of the respective animals within the period of May to October 2021, amongst pastoralists in three local government areas of Bauchi Western Agricultural Zone, Bauchi State, Nigeria. A total of 938 faecal samples were examined using floatation and sedimentation techniques. Out of the 938 samples examined, 756 (80.60%) were infected. The results from the faecal examination revealed the presence of eighteen (18) gastrointestinal parasites namely; Fasciola, Cooperia, Balantidium, Oesophagostonum, Bunostonum, Haemanchus, Tricharis, Coccidia, Strongyloides, Trichstrongylus, Chabertia, Nematodirus, Dicrocoelium, Ostertasia, Moniezia, Paramphistomum, Schistosoma and Marshallagia. The most prevalent helminth encountered was Fasciola 369 (39.34%) while schitosoma 2 (0.21%) was the least prevalent parasite. Sokoto Gudali, Uda and Kano brown breeds of cattle, sheep and goats, harboured more gastrointestinal parasites than their breed counterpart which are the White Fulani breed of cattle, Balami and ‘Yankasa breed of sheep as well as Red Bauchi breeds of goats respectively. Statistically, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) with respect to the species of animal but no statistical difference (p>0.05) with respect to sex, age, season and breed of the animals. Pasture dressing, rotational grazing, and strategic deworming programmes in combination with control of intermediate hosts will lead to more effective control of the parasite as helminthiasis causes great economic losses to livestock farmers and the nation’s Gross Domestic Products. Furthermore, future investigations are recommended to evaluate the economic impact of gastrointestinal parasites in the study area.