Prevalence of parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants at Jalingo abattoir, Taraba state, Nigeria

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December, 2014 to May, 2015 on 914 animals (345 sheep and 569 goats) at Jalingo abattoir, Taraba State, Nigeria based on faecal examination. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence rate of parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes in slaughtered small ruminants according to thespecies, age and sex of the animals. A total of 914 faecal samples were examined by Simple Floatation Test Tube Technique, 390 (42.7%) were infested with parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes. The species of nematodes were Haemonchus, Osophagustomum, Strongyloids, Ostertagia and Trichostrongyle. Out of the 345 sheep and 569 goats examined during the period, 144 (41.7%) and 246 (43.2%) were infected with parasitic gastrointestinal nematodes respectively. There was no statistical significance (P>0.05) on the prevalence of the infection between the species. Out of the 306 and 371 adult sheep and goats examined, 136 (44.4%) and 175 (47.2%) were infected respectively. Among the sheep and goats examined, the adult was found to be more infected than the young. However, infection rates among the young animals of both species was statistical significant (P<0.05). According to the sex, out of the 120 rams and 375 bucks examined, 44 (36.7%) and 164 (43.7%) were infected respectively. Out of the 225 ewes and194 does that were examined, 100 (44.4%) and 82 (42.3%) were infected respectively. There was no statistical significance (P>0.05) among male and female animals. These results show that parasitic gastrointestinal nematode was prevalent in both sheep and goats at Jalingo abattoir and all the parasite eggs detected were strongyle type. Hence, further laboratory examination is recommended to identify parasite species in order to design appropriate control measures.Keywords: Gastrointestinal nematodes, Jalingo Abattoir, Prevalence, Small ruminants, Taraba State