Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Pigs from Farms at River State University, Port Harcourt
Keywords:
Gastrointestinal, Parasites, Pigs, Infection, Sis ScrofaAbstract
Study on gastrointestinal parasite infections amongst pigs raised in farms of Rivers State University between March and August, 2023 was conducted. Stool samples of the pigs were collected and examined for parasitic infections. 40 pigs were sampled and in each of the pig, stool samples were taken. Samples were examined using direct smear method, Floatation method and Formol-ether Concentration method. A total of 36 stool samples were infected out of the 40 samples collected given an overall prevalence of 90%. The individual parasites observed were Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Trichostrongyllus spp, Strongyloides ransomi and Oesophagostomum dentatum. The most prevalent parasite observed during the study was Ascaris suum, which recorded 32 (80%), followed Strongyloides ransomi 30 (75%), Oesophagostomum dentatum 28 (70%), while Trichuris suis and Trichostrongylus species recorded 25 (60.3%) and 24 (60%) prevalence respectively. Sex related prevalence showed female was more parasitized than their male canter pat. However, there was no significant difference in comparing sex related infections. This study thus confirmed that pigs raised either intensively or extensively can be infected with gastrointestinal helminth parasites. And infection could be an indicator of poor feeding management, prevailing climatic condition within the study foci, poor hygiene management within the farm and poor sanitary management. Resulting effect can lead to poor health condition of the pigs or can also lead to economic loss as poor health can kill the animals. The farm managers should regularly deworm of their animals to combat infections with gastrointestinal parasites.
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