PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF CATTLE AND SHEEP IN ANIMAL PRODUCTION RESEARCH FARM, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, MINNA, NIGER STATE, NORTH CENTRAL, NIGERIA

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Cattle and Sheep in animal production research farm, Federal University of Technology Minna, using centrifugal floatation and sedimentation technique. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) faecal samples were collected from cattle (75) and Sheep (75). An overall prevalence of 52.7% was recorded. Cattle (28.0%) had the highest prevalence than Sheep (24.7%) and the difference was non-significant (P>0.05). Seven (7) gastrointestinal parasites were encountered namely: Toxocara spp (12.0%), Strongyloides spp (4.0%), Strongyle spp (14.7%), Eimeria spp (10.7%), Taenia spp (5.3%), Monieza spp (3.3%) and Fasciola spp (2.7%). Strongyle spp (14.7%) had the highest prevalence while the least prevalence was Fasciola spp (2.7%). Male cattle (29.3%) were more infected than female cattle (26.67%). Female Sheep (28.0%) were more infected than male sheep (21.3%). Adult cattle (36.0%) were more infected than young cattle (20.0%). Adult Sheep (26.7%) were more infected than young sheep (22.7%). Pregnant cattle (17.5%) and non-pregnant cattle (17.5%) were more infected than lactating Cattle (15.0%). Pregnant sheep (20.0%) were more infected than lactating (12.0%) and non-pregnant sheep (10.0%). There was no statistically significant difference P>0.05) in the prevalence of infection between the sex, age of cattle and sheep and physiological status of the female cattle. There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) between prevalence and physiological status of the female sheep.