Volume 14, Issue 2: 2024 - Article 160

Abstract
Haemonchus species is one of the economically important parasites of small ruminants, and haemonchosis in sheep is associated with anaemia, poor weight gain and mortality. This study determined the occurrence of infection with Haemonchus species in sheep in some households at Gwange-I ward and at Maiduguri cattle market, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. The design of the study was cross-sectional survey. Faecal samples from a total of 150 sheep were used for the study. The faecal samples were examined by floatation technique. Photographs of eggs were taken and identified based on shape and size. Results showed that out of the 150 faecal samples examined, Heamonchus eggs were detected in 111 (74%). The Balami breed of sheep had a relatively higher occurrence of infection (78.08%) than the Yankasa breed (70.13%). Young sheep had a relatively higher occurrence of infection (75.56%) when compared to the adults (71.67%). Also, male sheep had a relatively higher occurrence of infection (75.36%) than females (72.84%). The occurrence of Haemonchus infection in sheep sampled at the Maiduguri cattle market (90.48%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the occurrence in those sampled at households in Gwange-1 ward (35.56%). There were no significant association (p > 0.05) between infection occurrence and breed/age/sex. It was concluded that the occurrence of infection with Haemonchus species in the study area was high, and it was recommended that farmers and traders should employ the practice of strategic anthelmintic medication annually using effective broad-spectrum anthelmintics.

Keywords: Haemonchus infection; Sheep; Occurrence; Breed, Age and Sex; Maiduguri, Nigeria.

How to cite this article:
Mairiga IA, Abdulrahma HI, Umar AM and Adamu L (2024). Occurrence of infection with Haemonchus species in
sheep in some households at Gwange-I ward and at Maiduguri cattle market, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 14(2): 725 – 735.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     Samuel_mairiga@yahoo.com      Phone: +2348065828435

Occurrence of infection with Haemonchus species in sheep in some households at Gwange-I ward and at Maiduguri cattle market, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Ismaila A. Mairiga *, Hauwa I. Abdulrahma, Abbas M. Umar and Lawan Adamu
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

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