Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Goats in Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

A prevalence study on the gastro intestinal parasites of goats was carried out for six months from May to October, 2014 in Ibadan, South Western, Nigeria. Four hundred (400) goats’ faecal samples comprising of 103 West African Dwarf and 297 Red sokoto breeds were collected from goats in households, market places and abattoir. They were examined for intestinal helminth eggs and protozoan oocysts using direct microscopic examination and sodium chloride floatation technique. Out of the 400 faecal samples examined, 303(75.75%) were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. The Red sokoto breed had a higher prevalence of 217(54.25%) while West African dwarf breed had the lower prevalence of 86(21.5%). Male goat had a prevalence of 163(40.85%) while female had a prevalence of 140(35%). The gastro intestinal parasites observed were Strongyloides papiillosus, Monieza spp, Coccidia spp and Strongyle spp. Strongyle spp had the highest prevalence while Monieza spp had the lowest prevalence. Of the total 217(54.3%) Red sokoto breeds positive for helminths, 120(30%) had mixed parasitic gastro-intestinal infection while 74(18.5%) of the total 86 (21.5%) WAD goats positive for helminth also had mixed infection. We suggest good management practices, prompt diagnosis and treatment with anthelmintic and antiprotozoa drugs and education of animal owners on bio-security as panacea to reduce the risk of infection and increase productivity of the animals.