The epidemiology of nematodes and liver fluke infections in sheep in Nyandarua District of Kenya
Date
1997Author
Maingi, N
Gichohi, V.M
Munyua, W K
Gathuma, J M
Thamsborg, SM
Type
ArticleLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence, intensity of infection and management
systems associated with gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites in grazing ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats).
Faecal samples were collected from 277 cattle, 104 sheep and 94 goats, from different areas in Jakiri.
Samples were analysed using the Formol-ether concentration technique. 318 samples were found
positive with one or more parasites giving an overall prevalence of 66.9%. Goats recorded the highest
(90.4%) prevalence of GIT parasites, followed by sheep (73.1%), and the least prevalence was observed
in cattle (56.7%). Concerning the various management techniques, prevalence of GIT parasites were
higher in tethered animals (88.1%) followed by free range grazing animals (60.9%). Animals confined in
paddocks had the least prevalence (45.5%). Eimeria species recorded the highest prevalence (20.9%)
among the various species of parasites encountered during the study in cattle, Trichostrongylus
species and Eimeria spp. in sheep (28.8%) while the highest prevalence in goats was Trichostrongylus
spp. (55.8). Mixed infections of Trichostrongylus spp., Eimeria spp. and Haemonhus species were most
prevalent in all the animal species. The prevalences of Fasciola species and Moneiza species were
significantly low in all the three animal groups in the study area. Adults were more infected compared
to young stock animals (lambs and kids). This work provides an important step to minimize economic
losses in ruminants by providing information that will help farmers practice the right traditional
management techniques.
URI
http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/25802http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/JVMAH/article-full-text-pdf/A77EEDF41634
Citation
Bull. Anim. Hlth. Prod. Afr. (1997).45, 27-34Publisher
University of Nairobi. Department of veterinary Pathology, microbiology & parasitology