Occurrence of Helminthosis in West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats: Observations in the Veterinary Clinic, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Nigeria
*Togun, V. A.1, O.A. Amao1, O. A. Oyebode2, G. N. Egbunike3
1Department of Animal Production and Health, 2Commercial Farm, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B. 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. 3Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author’s email: aotogun@yahoo.com
Accepted on February 16, 2005
Abstract
The influence of some environmental factors on the occurrence of helminthosis in West African Dwarf goats reared under the traditional extensive system of management was studied. Data were extracted from a nine-year (1994 – 2002) record obtained from the Veterinary Clinic of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. It was observed that from a total of 752 goats presented to the clinic during the study period, the population of does, 624 (82.98%) was higher than that of bucks, 128 (17.02%). Of this proportion, 27.56% of does and 23.44% of bucks had helminthosis. Also cases of helminthosis were generally higher during the late wet and early dry seasons (27.75 and 28.88% respectively) than in the late dry and early wet seasons (24.75 and 26.14% respectively). Occurrence in females was highest (86.96%) in the early wet season while that of males was highest (16.98%) in the late wet season. Highest incidence was observed in 1995 (41.18%) with a decline in trend, as the years advanced to 12.00% in 2002. For the effect of months, occurrence was highest in June (13.37%) followed by October (12.87%). The least occurrence was observed in April (0.99%). It was concluded that adequate attention needs to be paid to the management of goats through preventive measures. The appropriate use of antihelmintic drugs both in the middle and at the end of rainy season, along with supplementary feeding in the dry season are recommended in the study area, for profitable goat production.