Macro-endoparasites of adult donkeys, Equus asinus, at Ngbo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The gut of 52 donkeys, Equus asinus slaughtered at Okwo Ngbo in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were examined for possible macro-gastro-intestinal parasite infection. The contents of the different sections of the gastro-intestinal tract (stomach, small intestine, caecum, colon and rectum) were emptied into separate petri-dishes containing normal saline and searched thoroughly for helminth parasites.Five species of nematodes namely, Ascaris species, Poteriostomum species, Haemonchus specieis, Oxyuris species and unidentified filariod nematode, one species of gastrophilid larva (insecta), one Anoplocephalid cestode and one species of trematode were recovered from infested donkeys. The gastrophilid larva with a prevalence of 86.54% was the most prevalent species. It was followed in descending order by Poteriostonum species (59.62%), Ascaris species (40.39%), Oxyuris species (32.69%), unidentified trematode species (19.32%), unidentified filaroid nematode (13.46%) and Anoplocephalid cestode (3.85%). Gastrophilid larva had the highest abundance and mean intensity of infection. Poteriostomum with a prevalence of 59.62% was the most prevalent nematode species. Gastrophilid larva occurred in the stomach, caecem and colon. Poteriostomum which was found in four locations was the most widely distributed parasites, followed by the gastrophilid larva which was found in three locations namely, stomach, caecum and the colon. Ascaris species and Anoplocephalid cestode were found only in the small intestine. Oxyuris and Haemonchus species occurred in the caecum and colon, the trematode in the colon along with the filaroid nematode. Concomitant infection involving the different species of parasite was recorded.

Keywords: Equus asinus, macro-endo-parasites, Ngbo, Nigeria