Studies on the blood parasites of sheep in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

A total of two hundred and fourteen blood samples collected from West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep between the months of January and April 2001 were examined for haemoparasites using the blood smear method. The rectal temperature, Packed Cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), Red Blood Cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts of the sheep were determined. The Parasites found were Anaplasma, Babesia and Eperythrozoon species. Mixed infections with these parasites were common. Anaplasma sp was the most predominant in WAD sheep carrying single infection. Mixed infections with Anaplasma and Eperythrozoon (AE) species. Anaplasma, Babesia and Eperythrozoon (ABE) species were the most common. The mean temperature of sheep carrying mixed
infections was higher than those carrying single infection. Similarly the mean PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC of Sheep carrying mixed infections were lower than the sheep carrying single infection. The significance
of these to sheep production is discussed.