PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF COCCIDIOSIS AMONG GOAT SLAUGHTERED AT CENTRAL ABATTOIR IN KATSINA METROPOLIS, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Coccidiosis is an economically important disease in various parts of the world and results lowered productivity due to the associated morbidity and mortality. It is caused by microscopic, unicellular protozoan parasites of the intestine, which have a direct, complex life cycle that develop and propagate in the small and large intestines of different animal species and particularly affects young age animals. This study explored the incidence of coccidiosis in goats slaughtered at the Katsina modern abattoir and also assessed the risk factors associated with transmission of the disease among animals through microcopy. Microscopy of 130 faecal specimens collected from this slaughter facility revealed a prevalence of 81 (62.3 %) of positive eggs of Eimeria parasite with female animals having higher 46 (63.9%) prevalence of infections among the slaughtered animals. Likewise, younger animals showed high 42 (76.4%) prevalence of infection compare to adult and old. Similarly animals with poor body condition harbor the infection more 39 (84.7%) compare to those with moderate and good body condition. Results of this study may add to the availability of empirical data on prevalence of coccidiosis in Nigeria and therefore provide a baseline for development of potent preventive and control measures against the disease.