A faecal survey of gastrointestinal parasites of ruminants on the University of Maiduguri Research Farm

Abstract

Faecal survey of ova/oocysts of gastrointestinal parasites of ruminants on the University of Maiduguri research farm was conducted between January and November 2006 using saturated sodium chloride floatation and formol ether sedimentation techniques. A prevalence rate of 47.0%, 54.0% and 58.0% was obtained for cattle, sheep and goats respectively (p>0.05).The younger ruminants were more infected (cattle: 50.0%; sheep: 54.7%.; and goats: 58.1%) compared to the older ruminants (cattle: 44.0%, sheep: 52.8% and goats: 57.9%) (p>0.05). Female ruminants were also more infected (cattle: 52.0%; sheep: 60.4%, and goats: 62.7%) compared to the males (cattle: 52.0%; sheep: 46.8% and goats: 51.2%) (p>0.05). Among cattle breeds, the Wadara had 46.9% infection while the Simmental had 50.0% (p>0.05). Among sheep breeds the Yankasa, Ouda and Sudanese had 53.8%, 43.8% and 100.0% infection rates respectively (p>0.05). Goats breeds of Borno white and Sokoto red had 54.2% and 59.6% infection rates respectively (p>.0.05). The veterinary importance of these finding is discussed.