Pages: 33-37

Abstract

A survey on gastrointestinal helminth infection of Bovine (cattle) slaughtered in Sokoto State Abattoir was carried out. A total of 45 faecal samples of animals were examined comprising 20 males and 25 females using formal ether concentration technique. Out of which 32 (71.1%) were infected with one or more parasites. Five species of Nematode 23 (51.1%), one species of cestode 6 (13.3%) and one species of trematode 3 (6.7%) were encountered. Females had the highest prevalence of helminths infection (76.0%) than males (65.0%) and was statistically significant (P<0.05). Prevalence based on their breed, Sokoto Gudali had the highest prevalence (72.0%) than Red Bororo (70.0%) and was statistically significant. Based on age, cattle that were 3-4 and 41/2-5 had the highest prevalence of (71.4%) respectively. While cattle that are 1-21/2 (70.0%) were statistically significance (P<0.05). The prevalence rates of the species encountered consist of Ascaris 10 (31.3%), Bunostomum phlebotomum 8 (21.9%), Moniezia benedeni 6 (18.8%), Fasciola hepatica 3 (9.4%), Strongylloide papillosus 3 (9.4%), Nematodirus spathiger 2 (6.3%), Trichuris ovis 1 (3.1%). The result of this survey revealed that gastrointestinal parasites were highly prevalent in cattle slaughtered at Sokoto Abattoir.