CAMEL (Camelus dromedarius) DISEASES PREVALENCE AND ETHNO–VETERINARY MEDICINE (EVM) USE APPROACHES BY CAMEL KEEPERS IN NORTHERN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the Ethno–Veterinary Medicine (EVM) use approaches of camel keepers at Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Northwest Nigeria. Thirty (30) structured questionnaires were administered to purposively selected camel keepers and data generated were subjected to descriptive statistics. Majority (43.00%) of the respondents had over 50 years of experience in keeping camel, while the most common herd size (70.00%) was between 5–10 camels. Dermatophilosis (37.00%) was most prevalent disease condition while with common diseases while observable signs of diseases (70.00%) were scratching of the body. The disease was also more prevalence in the rainy season (46.67%). EVM (60.00%) remain the major animal healthcare approach adopted by the camel keepers while route of drugs administration (26.00%) were topical application. Since EVM remains a widely accepted animal healthcare option among the camel keepers at the study location, further studies should be carried out to elucidate the actual practice of the camel keepers.