Prevalence and Intensity of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infestation of Goats in Belo Sub Division, Boyo Division, North West Region of Cameroon

Aims: The study aims to investigate the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic infections in goats.

Study Design: A study was conducted in Belo Sub Division from July 2016 to October 2016. A total of 499 faecal samples were randomly collected directly from the recta of 499 goats in six villages and analyzed for the detection of any parasitic ova or oocysts using standard saturated sodium chloride flotation technique, while faecal egg/oocyst count was estimated using the modified McMaster technique.

Results: The study found that all 499 goats with a mean EPG value of 494,3 ± 374,8) were found to harbor at least two gastrointestinal parasites. The prevalence and intensity of various parasites encountered respectively were: Eimeria spp (86%), (455.2 ± 400.8), Haemonchus spp (74.5%), (1282.9 ± 1244.4), Toxocara spp (72.5%) (953.3 ± 814.3), Charbertia spp (55.9%), (448.2 ± 416.0). Fasciola spp (45.4%), (475.0 ± 338.1), Moniezia spp (42.2%), (828.6 ± 793.9), Oesophagostomum spp (33.1%), (638.3 ± 463.5), Strongyloides spp (32.5), (200.0 ± 00), Trichostrongylus spp (28.3%) (200.0± 00), Trichuris spp (23.7%) (200.0± 00), Teladorsagia spp (14.6), (200.0 ± 00) and Nematodorius spp (8.1%), (50.0 ± 0,0). There was no significant difference in prevalence (100%) in the different age groups, type of husbandry management system and locality (P>0.05) except for gender where there was significant difference.

Conclusion: Gastrointestinal parasitic infections in goats from Belo Sub Division are common, with a very high prevalence. This high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitism among the goats possibly reflected grazing, low immunity due to malnutrition and lack of anthelminthic treatment programs.