ASSESSMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL HELMINTHS FROM FAECAL SAMPLES OF CATTLE AT FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY FARM, MINNA

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths from faecal samples of cattle at the Federal University of Technology farm Minna, Niger State, Nigeriaduring the period of April to June 2008(12weeks). Fifteen animals were selected from the herd of 33heads of cattle and randomly asigned to three (3) groups designated as group1 (calves 1-12 months of age) and group2 (yealings 1-2years of age) and group3 (Adults 2 years and above). Five faecal samples were collected weekly from each group for laboratory analysis usig direct smear method faecal sample analysis.Results showed that the overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthsin calves, yearlings and adult cattle were 45, 33.3 and 23.3%, respectively. Haemonchus and Ascarids and fasciola species were high with 30 % and 20% respectively, while in adults, Haemonchus was found to have the highest percentage prevalence rate of 35.7&. Based on these findings it is clearly evident that the level of prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in adult cattle is less than that found in young ones (both yearlings and calves). The need to introduce improved preventive measures of controlling helminths in order to protect the entire cattle population against the parasites is strongly recommended