Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes of calves in Sokoto northwestern Nigeria

Authors

  • Aliyu Mahmuda Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Aminu Alhaji Mohammed Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Musbau O Alayande Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Abdullahi Alhaji Magaji Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Mohammed Danlami Salihu Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Joseph Popoola Fabiyi Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Mohammed Dalhatu Lawal Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Yusuf Yakubu Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Usman Mahmud Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria
  • Abubakar Danmaigoro Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria

Keywords:

Seasonal prevalence, Gastrointestinal, Nematodes, Calves, Sokoto

Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal nematodes of calves in Sokoto metropolis. A total of 216 faecal samples from 54 calves were examined using Simple faecal floatation and Modified McMaster techniques for morphological egg differentiation and count of worm-egg per gram of faeces respectively. Positive samples were cultured to differentiate between morphologically indistinguishable nematode genera. An overall prevalence was found to be 133 (61.57%). The seasonal prevalence was found to be highest 40 (74.07%) during the early dry season, while the lowest prevalence was observed to be 19 (35.18%) in the early rainy season. Eight different nematode genera were identified with Cooperia spp being highest in prevalence (28.78%) followed by Haemonchus spp (26.76%) and the least was Toxocara spp (0.50%). The prevalence was generally higher in females (56.39%) than in males (43.61%). Statistically significant association (p<0.05) between the prevalence of the parasites and the different seasons was observed. Prevalence was low in indigenous breeds, Sokoto Gudali (15.04%) which is relatively resistant to helminthosis compared to crossbreeds (32.33%) and exotic, Friesian (52.63%) breeds. It is concluded that the late rainy and early dry seasons are conducive for the successive perpetuation of these parasites and therefore enhances subsequent transmission to susceptible hosts.

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Published

2012-09-29

How to Cite

Mahmuda, A. ., Alhaji Mohammed, A. ., O Alayande, M. ., Alhaji Magaji, A. ., Danlami Salihu, M. ., Popoola Fabiyi, J. ., Dalhatu Lawal, M. ., Yakubu, Y. ., Mahmud, U. ., & Danmaigoro, A. . (2012). Seasonal prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes of calves in Sokoto northwestern Nigeria. Scientific Journal of Veterinary Advances, 1(3), 82-89. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjva/article/view/1490

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