Prevalence of Gastro- intestinal Parasites of Sheep slaughtered at Keffi Abattoir, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of sheep slaughtered in Keffi main abattoir conducted from June to July 2019. One hundred and fifty (150) fecal samples comprising of 60 Yankasa, 18 West African dwarf (WAD), 33 Balami and 39 Uda breed were collected from the abattoir. The samples were taken to the Laboratory to examine the intestinal helminthes eggs and protozoan oocysts using sodium chloride floatation and sedimentation techniques. Out of 150 samples examined, 84(56.0%) had gastrointestinal parasites. The Yankasa breed had the highest prevalence of 32(38.1%), while the WAD breed had the lowest prevalence of 12(14.3%). Female had the highest prevalence of 54(64.3) than male which have 30(35.7%). Young sheep had the highest prevalence of 52(61.9%) than adults which had prevalence of 32(38.1%) respectively. The gastrointestinal parasites encountered were Strongyles edentates sp., Coccidian spp., Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongyles spp and Fasciola spp. Trichostrongyles spp., had the highest prevalence of 23(27.3%) while coccidian had the lowest prevalence of 4(4.7%). Chi-square statistical analysis revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) among the breed, age, and sex of the sheep. The result of the study shows that high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among the sheep breed, therefore with good management practice, prompt diagnosis, treatment with antihelminthes drugs and mass education of farmers on the importance of hygiene and sanitation will reduce the risk of the disease and increase productivity.