Deworrner administration to small ruminants in emergency drought responses: assessing the impact in two locations of northern Kenya.

Abstract

Internal parasites are a significant determinant of the productivity of rum illant species in the tropics. Provision of dewormers has become a predominant part of animal health interventions in emergency drought responses, aiming to maintain the food conversion efficiency of livestock when pasture is scarce. This study aimed to assess the owner-perceived impact ofdeworrner provision on the health and productivity of small ruminants in the drought-prone counties of Isiolo and Marsabit. northern Kenya. Participatory approaches were used to retrospectively measure differences in key indicators of livestock output before and after dewonner administration. Results showed that there was no perceived impact of dewormer administration during droughts on small ruminant health and productivity but some benefit of deworrning during rainy season were perceived. The study also