PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN BOER GOATS: A CAUSE OF PARASITIC GASTROENTERITIS

Abstract

The study was carried out in Kashere, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in Boer goats. The goats are managed under semi intensive management. A Stoll‟s ova dilution technique was used for faecal egg count. The overall prevalence of helminthes found in this study was high (63.33%). The prevalence varies across the different species of parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides having the highest incidence (63.33%) followed by Fasciola hepatica 60.00% and Strongyloides species (55.55%). Others parasites include Taenia ovis and Trichuria ovis having 40.00% each. The least prevalence was recorded in Eimeria spp with (35.00%). Mean egg count was also influenced by both age and sex of the animals. The incidence was higher in females (647eggs/gram) compared to the males (399eggs/gram). Similarly, the prevalence was also
higher in kids than in the adult animals. It was concluded that there was a high prevalence of helminthes in the study area and the isolates are of economic importance that can affect the productivity of the animals. It is therefore recommended that good husbandry operations can reduce the incidence of parasites and the animals should be dewormed at regular intervals with a broad spectrum anthelminthic.