Gastrointestinal helminths of slaughtered cattle in Bauchi Central Abattoir, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Cattle are major source of animal protein, flexible income for family units, employment, farm energy and manure but the problem is infection due to gastrointestinal helminths. The disease causes a gradual deterioration of animal performance and has been known to be major economic losses in Nigeria. Sedimentation and floatation parasitological techniques were used and examined microscopically to determine the parasites and the number of egg per gram of faeces. Of the 300 faecal sample examined, 223(74.3%) were infected with one or more of the following species and their prevalence were three trematodes (Fasciola 15.7%, Schistosome 6.0%, Dicrocilium 1.6%), three cestodes (Monezia 6.3%, Taenia 8.0%, Hymenolepis 2.0%) and seven species of nematodes (Ascaris 3.3%, Trichuris 1.0%, Nematodirus 6.3%, Haemonchus 9.3%, Strongyloides 5.7%, Toxocara 3.3%, Ostertagia 5.0%). Modified Stoll’s dilution egg counting technique of 223 animals indicated, 74 animals (33.1%) and 49 animals (21.9) were found with low and high infection level respectively, whilst greater proportion, 100 animals (44.8) were found with moderate number of egg per gram of faeces (egg) suggesting that the infection was moderately high. The breeds had a prevalence of 74.8%, 72.3%, and 70.0% obtained for Bunaji, Rohaji, and Sokoto Gudali cattle respectively. Higher prevalence of gastro intestinal parasites was observed in young cattle < 2 years (77.1%) and 3-5 years (74.2%) than >5 years of age (70.58%). This study reveals that both the male and female animals have equal likelihood of being infected with gastrointestinal helminths. Therefore, farmer awareness, and modern methods of rearing and caring for animals towards maximum productivity is advocated and should be encouraged through the Ministry of Agriculture.