Authors : H.Y. Aliyara, C.O. Nwosu and M.B. Ardo
Abstract: Examination of the gastrointestinal tract of 96 cattle slaughtered at the Yola Modern abattoir during the period April 2008 to March 2009 indicated a prevalence of 75% for naturally acquired infections with Trichostrongylus sp. (42%; Cooperia sp. (31%), Strongyloides sp. (24%), Oesuphagostomum sp. (44%), Bunostomum sp. (11%), Oestertagia sp. (3%), Syngamus sp. (2%) and Toxoplasma sp. (4%), respectively. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in prevalence between sexes and age groups. Out of the 72 infected cattle, 59 or 88% had burdens of <500 worms while burdens of 500-1000 and >1000 were encountered in 6 or 8% and 7 or 10% of the cattle, respectively. A significantly (p<0.05) greater number of cattle harbored <500 worms. Although, most of the parasites occurred throughout the study period, higher worm counts were generally encountered during the rainy season than in the dry season.
H.Y. Aliyara, C.O. Nwosu and M.B. Ardo, 2012. Prevalence and Seasonal Changes in Gastro-Intestinal Helminthes of Nigeria Cattle. Veterinary Research, 5: 46-49.