Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasite in Four Goat Breeds Slaughtered in Two Major Abattoirs in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Goats harboured number of gastrointestinal parasites and high infestation of intestinal parasite in livestock such as goat could result to inefficient feed utilization leading to reduced growth rate in young animals, reduced weaning weights, low milk production, enhanced susceptibility to other diseases and poor meat production; thus, there is need to constantly study and carry out routine check on intestinal parasites of livestock time to time for proper management. This study was carried out within the period of three month, 240 faecal samples of ready to be slaughter goats were randomly examined comprising of 69 West African Dwarf, 55 Kano brown, Borno red 52 and 64 Red Sokoto breeds from two abattoirs in the study area. Examination for intestinal helminth was carried out using sodium chloride floatation technique and direct microscopic examination method. Out of the 240 goat faecal samples examined, 56 which represent 23.33% were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. The highest prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (34.38%) was recorded from Sokoto red breed followed by Kano brown (21.88%) and Borno red (19.23%); while West African dwarf breed had the lower prevalence of 17.38%. There is significant difference (p<0.05) in prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among the goat breeds. Between the goat gender, female goat has the highest prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (30.43%), this was not significantly higher (p>0.05) when compared with prevalence of gastrointestinal prevalence in male (17.07%). Among the parasites recovered, Strongyloides stercoralis was the most prevalence (36.51%), followed by Ancylostoma duodenale (19.05%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (17.40%). There is need for good and effective animal health management in the studied Abattoirs. Thus, the incidence of these parasites revealed in this study can be decreased by the use of effective management techniques, quick diagnosis and anthelmintic therapy, and education of animal owners on the importance of animal health.