Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites and their association with selected risk factors in slaughtered goats at Akinyele abattoir, Oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Helminthiasis in ruminants is among the major endoparasitic infections responsible for economic losses through reduced productivity and increased mortality. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Akinyele Abattoir, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites and their association with selected risk factors in slaughtered goats. A total of 170 faecal samples were collected from slaughtered goats using a convenience sampling technique over consecutive slaughter days. Samples
were transferred into well-labelled sample containers and transported in an ice-packed cooler to the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta for the analysis. Faecal samples were examined microscopically for helminth eggs and coccidian oocysts using the simple flotation technique. Parasite eggs and oocysts were identified based on morphological characteristics using standard parasitological identification keys. Out of the 170 faecal samples examined, 109 (64.10%) were positive for one or more gastrointestinal parasites. The parasites identified included Haemonchus spp. (3.00%), other strongyles (27.1%), Trichuris spp. (1.20%), Moniezia spp. (9.40%), and Eimeria spp. (34.10%). Eimeria spp. had the highest prevalence, while Trichuris spp. recorded the lowest prevalence. No significant association (P>0.05) was observed between gastrointestinal parasite prevalence and the evaluated risk factors, namely breed, age, and body condition score. The findings indicated that gastrointestinal parasitism remains prevalent among slaughtered goats in the study area and may contribute to reduced productivity in small ruminant production systems.