Prevalence of Internal Parasites of Intensively Managed Pigs Located in Nsukka, South-East Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of Gastrointestinal helminths in intensively managed pig farms located in Nsukka, SouthEast Nigeria was investigated in this study. Eighty-three (83) pigs of different ages and sexes from seven farms located in Nsukka LGA were randomly selected for the study. Fecal samples were collected from the rectum of selected animals and subjected to standard parasitological analysis. Of the 83 pigs examined, 20 animals (24.10%) were infected with Gastrointestinal (GI) parasite species. Three types of GI parasites were observed in infected animals and they include Hyostrongylus rubidus (18.07%), Ascaris suum (2.62%) and Trichuris suis (2.41%). There were no observed cases of mixed infections in infected animals. Infection was also found to be higher in male (31.58%) than in female pigs. Adult pigs (25.71%) were however more infected than younger pigs. In conclusion, there is need for better attention to be paid to improved sanitary conditions, improved management practices and better veterinary intervention with an effective anthelminthic programme in the study area. Also with regard to the observed tendency of the farmers to self-medicate their animals, constant surveillance and monitoring as well as public education campaigns is advocated to prevent the onset of resistance to available therapeutics.