The point prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in calves, sheep and goats in Magadi division, south-western Keny

M.W Maichomo,T Walker,J.M Kagira

doi:10.4102/ojvr.v71i4.229

Abstract

Helminths cause great economic loss in livestock in Africa, and can be categorized as either direct or indirect losses. Arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) in Kenya comprise 71% of total land area and harbour the largest population of cattle, sheep and goats. However, little information on the distribution and impact of gastro-intestinal (GIT) parasitism in these animals is available. This survey was conducted to establish the prevalence of GIT parasites infecting calves, sheep and goats and their relative importance in Magadi division, which is semi-arid. Faecal samples were obtained directly from the rectum of 109 calves, 133 goats and 20 sheep and submitted to the laboratory for faecal worm egg counts, and coccidial oocysts examination using a modified McMaster method. The significance of differences in mean egg count per gram (epg) between animal species and herds (farms) were assessed using analysis of variance. The overall prevalence of nematodes in the calves, sheep and goats was 69.2%, 80% and 82%, respectively. About 10% of sheep and goats had epgs higher than 1 000, the remainder having light to moderate infections. The overall prevalence of coccidial oocysts in calves, sheep and goats was 30%, 44% and 45%, respectively. Poor productivity in ASAL areas, where nutrition is often poor, is likely to be pronounced in the presence of parasite infections. These findings indicate that viable internal parasite control should be implemented in the study area in order to increase the productivity of the livestock there.

Highlights

Gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites constitute a major variable in livestock production systems, in sheep and goats where these infections are the single greatest constraint to production in the tropics (Mukhebi, Shavulimo, Ruvuna & Rurangirwa 1985)
A previous study on helminthoses in small ruminants in this region (Mwendia 1996) revealed a lower mean epg level in the same season than those obtained in the present study
The increase in helminthoses that was found could be explained by an increase in the rainfall, being 562.6 mm in the first 6 months of 2002 compared to a total of 330 mm within the same period in 1994 (Mwendia 1996)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites constitute a major variable in livestock production systems, in sheep and goats where these infections are the single greatest constraint to production in the tropics (Mukhebi, Shavulimo, Ruvuna & Rurangirwa 1985). Sub-clinical levels of parasitism cause indirect and more subtle losses and do not induce obvious clinical signs (Barger, Siale, Banks & Le Jambre 1994) This type of parasitism is regarded as the most important cause of economic loss, as it is a flock or herd problem, unlike the acute syndrome, and tends to affect animals on a low plane of nutrition as well as lactating does and ewes. In pastoral areas of Kenya, the main breeds of livestock are of the indigenous type, which includes Zebu cattle, Red Maasai and Blackhead Somali sheep, and the East African goat The productivity of these animals is limited mainly by the seasonal availability of feed and diseases (Semenye 1987; Baker, Lahlou-Kassi, Rege, Reynolds, Bekele, Mukasa-Mugerwa & Rey 1992). Data obtained was subjected to a univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) to establish whether or not there were significant differences in mean (μ) epg of the animals

RESULTS

Findings

DISCUSSION