Lemy EE* and Egwunyenga AO
A study to determine the occurrence and distribution of parasitic helminthes of veterinary importance in faecal samples from cattle was carried out at the abattoirs in Delta North, Delta State. Samples were collected from slaughter slabs at Agbor and Asaba. A total of 325 samples were examined for helminth parasites. Differential parasite count, faecal floatation and direct faecal smear technique were used to analyse the faecal samples. The identified species revealed the presence of helminths of three classes which include the Nematodes, Trematodes and Cestodes with a total of 10 species respectively. The occurrence of parasitic helminths in the samples at various locations showed significant (P<0.05) differences between the different helminths species and location respectively. The level of prevalence of parasitic helminths encountered include Ascaris sp. 25 (10.5%), Bonustomum sp. 19 (8.0%), Coopera sp. 11 (4.6%), Ostertagia sp. 15 (6.3%), Strongyloides sp. 23 (9.7%), Trichuris 35 (14.8%), Trichostrongyle sp. 13 (5.5%), Paraphostimum sp. 18 (7.6%), Fasciola sp. 60 (25.3%) and Taenia sp. 18 (7.6%). The results obtained showed high prevalence of helminth parasites which could be due to the free ranging and grazing system and poor animal husbandry practices. However, cattle should be well inspected and at necessary point treated for parasitic diseases. Proper management practices and sanitary measures at slaughter slabs should strictly be employed as this will help check environmental contamination.
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Journal of Animal Health and Behavioural Science received 38 citations as per Google Scholar report
