A Study on Helminthiasis of Cattle Herds in Kachia Grazing Reserve (KGR) of Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence of helminthes in cattle and treatment intervention strategy in Kachia Grazing Reserve (KGR). Materials and Methods: A total of 3,651 cattle from 88 households were randomly selected, sampled and examined . The sampling was spread over three (3) periods; Pre-intervention (1,609), Intervention (1,525) and Post-intervention (517). Both physical examination and laboratory investigation were employed in the study. Results: This study revealed the presence of different types of helminthes in the bovine population of the KGR which include the helminth eggs of Nematodes (Oesophagostomum radiatum, Bonustonum phlebotomum, Tricuris globulosa, Cooperia pectinita, Toxocara vitulorum, Strongiloides papillosus, Strogylus langamus), Cestodes (Moneizia benedeni) and Trematodes ( Schistosoma bovis, Paramphistomum cervi, Fasciola gigantica) at different intervention periods, where by 820 (53.77%) were positive for pre- intervention, 946 (58.79%) positive for intervention and 205 (39.65%) were positive for postintervention period. Among the eleven species of helminthes identified, P. cervi was the most prevalent in all the periods, followed by O. radiatum. The study also revealed that the cattle in the study area were infected with single and multiple infections. Furthermore, 498(32.66%), 585(36.36%) and 171(33.08%) of cattle for the pre- intervention, intervention and post- intervention periods, respectively had single infection. However, 305 (20%), 381 (23.68%) and 37 (7.16%) of the cattle for the three periods, respectively harbored multiple infections (polyparasitism) caused by two to six different parasites. The results also show that age was a factor in the abundance of the parasites in the cattle as parasites were demonstrated more in adult cattle than the young stock (calves and yearlings). Chi-square and Kruskal Wallis showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the prevalence during the three periods. Conclusion: The present study revealed that helminthes of cattle are common in KGR; hence there is a need for regular faecal examination and routine treatment of the herds instead of treating the individual cases.