Inuwa M*, Atuman YJ , Yuguda A and Aminu YZ
Gastrointestinal helminths have been recognized as a major constraint to both small and large-scale small ruminant production in developing countries. This study was carried out between October and December 2017 with the aim to study the gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants slaughtered at central abattoir in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected from 200 small ruminants (100 from sheep and 100 from goats) and were processed using simple floatation technique. The result showed that out of the 200 samples examined, 102 (51%) samples were found to be positive, in which six different gastrointestinal nematode parasites were identified with Haemonchuscontorsus having the highest prevalence (16%) while Moniezaexpansa (1%). Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes among the sex of the small ruminants. Moreover, statistical analysis showed that there is no significant difference (P>0.05) among the species of animals. The age of the small ruminants examined ranges between 1 and 6 years old and the statistical analysis showed that there is no significant difference (P>0.05) among the age of the animals. The study indicated that gastrointestinal nematodes were prevalent among the small ruminants slaughtered at the central abattoir Bauchi. Therefore, it is recommended that veterinary and health officers should inspect the small ruminants slaughtered at the abattoir.
