Abstract:
Goats were the first wild herbivores to be domesticated in the Near East around 11,000 years ago at the beginning of the revolutionary transition from hunter-gatherer to agriculture-based societies. Ever since that time, goats have fulfilled a vital economic, cultural and religious role in many human civilizations. Parasites of livestock cause diseases of major socioeconomic importance worldwide. The current financial and agriculture losses caused by parasites have a substantial impact on farm profitability. Gastro-intestinal nematode (GIN) infections are the leading cause of manufacture losses in profitable goat farms. Nematode infections suppress weight gain, reduce reproductive efficiency and cause high mortality, especially of kids.
This cross sectional study was carried out. Samples were collected from farm homesteads and analyzed from Busitema Arapai laboratory. Data on age, management practices of the animals were recorded.
Examination of fecal samples revealed the prevalence of GIN infection in goats in Arapai Sub County. Of the 150 goats examined, all 150 goats had nematode eggs hence 100% prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode. This finding indicates that nematodes are significant problem of goats, strongly affecting their wellbeing. The study revealed that young goats (59%) were more infected than adult goats (41%) with GIN eggs. Young goats during their first grazing season and the infective larvae on pasture infect kids when ingested.
From this study it can be concluded that the prevalence of GIN is very high in Arapai Sub county, therefore, anthelmintic treatment on three monthly basis should be implemented to control and reduce the risk of regular infection as well as proper grazing practice can be adopted for all the goats in Arapai Sub county. Farmers needs to be trained on good management practices to improve on their knowledge since the number of goats that were dewormed was indicates that farmer still need more knowledge on deworming and management practices.
