Haemoparasitismin Small Ruminants in Gwagwalada Metropolis, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, North Central Nigeria

Olorunfemi Cornelius Jegede, Emmanuel Onoja, Sylvester Sunday Obeta, Maxwell Opara, Olutayo Daniels Olayemi

Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja

Abstract :

This study investigated the prevalence of haemoparasites of small ruminants reared under semi-intensive system in Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT Abuja, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from 200 animals; 100 goats and 100 sheep, and were examined for haemoparasites. The results showed that out of the 200 animals examined, 40(20%) of the animals were infected with blood parasites. Of these infected animals, 19(47.5%) were goats, while 21(52.5) were sheep.Anaplama species recorded the highest prevalence rate of 10.5% in both sheep and goats. This was followed by Thelieria species 9.5% andEperythrozoon specie andBabesia specie had aprevelance of 0% each. The prevalence of the infection was higher in older animals (22.57%) than younger ones, which was (17.5%). The prevalence was also slighly higher in female animals (23.64%) than in male which is 15.55%, prevalence of haemoparasitic infection also varied with the different breeds of goats and sheep, among the breed of goats West African dwarf had the highest prevalence (10%) whereas Uda had the highest prevalence (20%) among breeds of sheep. while in the management, animals managed under semi intensive system had 20% prevalence and healthy animals had 20% prevalence. There was no significant relationship between the diseases of goats and sheep (P>0.05) Considering the risk factors, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between haemoparasitism and the age, sex, and breed(goats) while there was a significant different (P<0.05) between haemoparasitism and breed of sheep. It was therefore concluded there was a low prevalence of blood parasites recorded in this study, their owners may not have noticed the effect of the parasites on the animals because they are apparently healthy due to the subclinical or chronic nature of the infection which often do not result in mortality, however their effects is usually manifested in production losses in the form of diminution of productive potential such as decreased growth rate in lambs and kids, late maturity, weight loss, and increased susceptibility to other diseases. key words: Haemoparasites, Anaplasma, Theileria, Small ruminants, Blood parasites