Role of physiological status of ruminant animals reared in Lafia metropolis on gastrointestinal parasites burden

In Nigeria, cattle, sheep and goats are reared basically under extensive production system. In some cases, these animals irrespective of their species and breeds are reared together especially under the modified urban or peri-urban system, hence, the possibility of cross-transmission of gastrointestinal parasites resulting in heavy parasites burden. There are several reports on parasites control measures involving biological and cultural techniques even the use of unsafe chemicals. Yet, little or nothing is known about sex, age and breed as physiological status in gastrointestinal parasites control strategy. Hence the present study was aimed at investigating the susceptibility of ruminants based on sex, age and breed-type. In order to achieve this, a total of 2, 400 ruminants (1, 500 cattle, 450 sheep and 450 goats) that have not been dewormed for at least 6 months prior to the study were examined. Faecal samples were collected from 800 ruminant animals (500 cattle, 150 sheep and 150 goats) based on sex, age and breed-type each which were processed for microscopic examinations. Results showed that 43.4% (bull), 41.6% (cow), 18.7% (ram), 16.6% (ewe), 11.3% (buck) and 14.0% (doe) were infected with gastrointestinal parasites. In all the species examined, each age category was infected and the young ones were observed to seemingly exhibit more susceptibility than the adults. The prevalence rate of gastrointestinal parasites varied between 22.4 and 62.6% in cattle breeds, 3.3 and 16.0% in sheep while 6.0 to 8.7% was recorded in goats. It was observed that Haemonchus, Fasciola and Strongyle species infected the cattle while, Entamoeba, Moniezia, Paramphistomum and Haemonchus species were found in both sheep and goats. In each case, mixed infections were recorded therefore sex, age and breed may perhaps not play significant roles in gastrointestinal parasites control in ruminant animals reared in Lafia metropolis.