EPIDEMIOLOGY OF GASTRO-INTESTINAL HELMINTH INFECTION OF GOATS IN NSUKKA URBAN

Thesis Abstract

Gastro-intestinal helminth infection of goats in Nsukka Urban was investigated to determine the parasites prevalence and intensity. Faecal samples were collected from the abattoir located at Ikpa community Market. Samples were analyzed using direct smear and concentration methods. Single and mixed infection of the parasites were observed. Single infections observed were nematodes while mixed infections of the parasites were observed. Single infection observed were nematodes while mixed infections involved a combination of nematodes and cestodes. No single cestode was seen. The parasites identified wereTrichostrongylus colubriformis,Strongyloides papillosus, Haemonchus contortus, Oesophaogstomum columbianum and Moniezia spp. No trematode was 94.2%. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between breeds of goats slaughtered in the abattoir. Age-related prevalence of the gastrointestinal helminth infections also showed no significant (p>0.05) difference between the two recorded age-groups. Female goats (96.6%) had more gastro-intestinal parasites than male goats (90.0%) but the difference in prevalence was not significant (p>0.05). The mean total egg output was 68.92 ± 6.43 (Egg per gram) while mean nematode and cestode egg output were 70.021 6.38 and 0.641 0.119 (Egg per gram), respectively. There was no significant difference in mean intensity of different gastrointestinal helminthes between breeds of goats. Moniezia species had least mean egg output. Female goats showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) total and nematode egg output than male goats. The high prevalence rate of gastrointestinal helminthes parasites could be due to the type of animal management system practiced which is the extensive pastoralism. This involved keeping large number of goats together which could increase the degree of pasture contamination leading to higher prevalence.