Strongyle infections of small ruminants in Nigeria

A survey of strongyle infections was conducted in sheep and goats reared in a traditional extensive husbandry system in two ecological zones of Nigeria. One zone had a seasonal pattern of infection. The majority of animals had faecal worm parasite egg counts of below 500 eggs per gram. Kids, and lambs younger than 3 months did not carry strongyle worm burdens, and the highest infection rate was found in the 7-12 month age group. A high proportion of small ruminants shed strongyle eggs during the postparturient period. The helminth species found by the use of larval culture techniques on the faeces were: Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Oesophagostomum columbianum. Adults of the same species were found in the few animals necropsied. The significance of the findings is discussed.