Ciência e Tecnologia Veterinária

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections of Sheep and Goats in Bui and Donga-Mantung Divisions of the North West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Yamssi Cedric

Background: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, intensity of infection and management systems associated with gastrointestinal parasite infections in sheep and goats from 12 villages in the Bui and Donga-Mantung Divisions. Methods: A total of 704 animals consisting of 342 males and 362 females were examined for gastrointestinal parasites, out of which 383 were goats and 321 sheep aged 5 months to 7 years. Also, 463 of these animals were adult ruminants and 241 young (kids/lambs). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of stool samples were carried out using the McMaster technique. Results: The 704 stool samples examined, 630 samples were found positive with one or more gastrointestinal parasites giving an overall prevalence of 89.5%. Sheep recorded the highest prevalence (90.0%). Haemonchus species recorded the highest prevalence (18.7%) in sheep, followed by Trichostrongylus species with a prevalence of (13.7%) still higher in sheep; Strongyloides species showed a prevalence of 10.4% in goats, and Trichuris species showed the least prevalence (2.4%) in sheep. The mean intensity for Haemonchus species was higher in all the animal groups, 694.4 ±1904.2 in goats but 189.5±137.3 in sheep. Mixed infections of Haemonhus species and Eimeria species were most prevalent in sheep (19.9%). The prevalence of Trichostrongylus species, Strongyloides species and Eimeria species were significantly low in all the two animal groups in the study area. Adults were more infected compared to young stock animals (lambs and kids). Concerning the various management techniques, prevalence of gastrointestinal tract parasites was higher in free range grazing animals (95.5%), followed by tethered animals (84.5%). Animals confined in paddocks had a lower prevalence (76.8%). Conclusion: This study provides an important step in minimizing economic losses recorded in sheep and goats by providing information that will help farmers in these areas to practice the right traditional management techniques and strategic deworming methods, providing information on some medicinal plants that can be used to reduce the infection rate of these parasites on the ruminants.