PREVALENCE OF HAEMOPARASITES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON HAEMATOLOGICAL VALUES OF INFECTED ONE HUMPED CAMEL (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS) IN THE SEMI- ARID REGION OF SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites and their effects on the haematological profiles of dromedary camels in semi- arid region of northern Nigeria (12⁰ N, 700 to 800mm annual rainfall). The study included apparently healthy 208 camels made up of 116 (55.8%) males and 92 (44.2%) females of varying age groups from seventy three 73 herds in seven Local Government Areas which were further categorized into border (Illela, Gada and Tangaza) and non-border (Gwadabawa, Kware and Goronyo) to Niger Republic and a municipal abattoir (Sokoto North) from Sokoto State. Blood samples were taken through jugular venipuncture and examined for haemoparasites and their effects on blood profiles. The overall prevalence of haemoparasitic infections was 9.1%. The two species of haemoparasites detected were Trypanosoma evansi (n= 15 or 78.9%) and Anaplasma marginale (n= 4 or 21.1%) and there was no multiple infections seen. There were significant increases (P < 0.05) in values of WBC, Neutrophils, Monocytes, Eosinophils and Basophils while the values of PCV, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in infected camels. However, the decrease and increase in the values of RBC and basophils were not significant (P> 0.05) only in camels infected with Trypanosoma evansi. This study gives an indication of some of the common animal health challenges usually encountered under the extensive camel production system in a semi- arid zone of Nigeria and the need for effective animal health care.