Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle slaughtered at the lugbe slaughter slab, federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are known to be major constraint to cattle well-being and productive performance worldwide. Their prevalence in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abuja is not well studied. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of nematodes of cattle slaughtered at the Lugbe slaughter slab of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Between the months of November 2017 and March 2018, a total of two hundred (200) faecal samples were collected and analysed using direct and floatation methods. Of these, 66 (33%) were infected with gastrointestinal nematode parasites. Five (5) genera of nematodes were identified; Ascaris spp, 24 (36.4%); Strongyles spp, 20 (30.3%); Trichostrongylus spp, 10 (15.2%); Nematodirus spp, 8 (12.1%) and Trichuris spp, 4 (6.1%). Mixed infection of these parasites involved oocysts which accounted for 27 (13.5%) and was statistically significant (p<0.05). In relation to sex, prevalence in female (55%) were higher than male (28%), while adults had higher prevalence (36.4%) than in the young (29.9%). The prevalence rate of nematode parasite ova was higher in both female and young cattle than the male and adult cattle, respectively. There was no statistical difference (P>0.05) between the age of cattle and prevalence of nematode parasites. Statistical results showed no association (P>0.05) between the nematode parasite ova and the months which the cattle were slaughtered. However, there was an association (P<0.5) between the prevalence of nematode parasites and the sex of the cattle. Our findings revealed that there were GIN in the screened animals. Appropriate nematode parasites control measures using novel and sustainable approaches including sustainable integrated parasite management (sIPM) have been recommended.