Gastrointestinal Helminth Infections in a Ruminant Livestock Farm in Abeokuta, South Western Nigeria

Aim: This study investigated the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections in ruminant livestock at DUFARMS holding of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place of Study: The study was conducted in Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria between November 2013 and August 2014.

Methodology: Faecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of 170 ruminant livestock and processed using ether-concentration method before examination for gastrointestinal helminth ova under the microscope. Data obtained were analyzed descriptively using SPSS 20.0 software and results were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.

Results: Of the 170 livestock examined, 100 (58.8%) were cattle, 40 (23.5%) were sheep and 30 (17.6%) were goats. Majority of the livestock were females 123 (72.4%) and 47 (27.6%) were males. The overall prevalence for any gastrointestinal helminth infection during the study was 76.5%. Goats were the most infected with a prevalence rate of 96.7%, followed by sheep (82.5%) and cattle (68%). Of the gastrointestinal helminths observed, Strongyle worms were the most predominant with 93.3% prevalence in goats, 77.5% in sheep and 33% in cattle. Other intestinal helminths recorded were Nematodirus spp, Moniezia spp, Paramphistomum spp, Fasciola spp, Toxocara spp and Trichuris spp. Significant differences do not exist (p>0.05) for prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infection by sex, age or breed of the animals examined.

Conclusion: The study showed that gastrointestinal helminth infections are widespread among ruminant livestock of DUFARMS which might have a negative implication on productivity. Therefore, improving farm management system and routine deworming of farm animals is recommended.