Comparison of gastrointestinal nematode infestation in sheep and cattle grazed together in Makulubita Sub County, Luwero District

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out between cattle and sheep that are grazed together with the major aim of determining and comparing the prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal nematode infestation while characterizing the dynamics of worm species. Five farms where cattle and sheep are grazed together in Makulubita Sub County Luwero District were identified and purposely selected. A total of 64 and 41 fecal samples were collected per rectum in cattle and sheep respectively. The bio-data of individual animals as well as clinical examination findings were recorded. The samples were transported via a cold chain to Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL) at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resource and Biosecurity (CoVAB), Makerere University for analysis. The presence and number of nematode eggs were determined using floatation and McMaster techniques respectively. Meanwhile, nematode species identification was done through the Baermann technique of copro-culturing. The results indicated a general high gastrointestinal nematode prevalence of which cattle represented more than sheep existing at 62.2% and 31.1% respectively. However the difference in infestation was not statistically significant with P=0.54. The nematode species identified included; Trichuris and Nematodirus spp were specific to sheep while Oesophagostomum spp were specific to cattle. Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, Ostertergia ostertergi, Toxocara, Strongyloid spp were found in both cattle and sheep. Therefore, the results show that there was cross infestation /sharing of some nematodes in cattle and sheep.