1.1 Introduction
Cattle are large bodied ruminants that feed on pastures and forages or fodder. In Nigeria, cattle are reared primarily for meat which is a veritable source of protein for humans, and for milk (Arowolo et al., 2013). Cattle rearing in Nigeria is an old occupation which is traditionally practiced by Fulanis and Shuwa Arabs in northern Nigeria with an extremely few local villages in the southern Nigeria (Erebor, 2003).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Cattle are a major source of animal protein in Nigeria. It contributes more than seventy percent (70%) of total protein consumed. In Nigeria, majority of these cattle are in the hand of pastoralists who take their cattle on a free range grazing and thus exposing them to various disease causing agents including parasitic helminthes and protozoans.
The gastrointestinal parasites mainly helminthes and some protozoans are responsible for clinical and subclinical diseases of livestock and this has been a major constraint to livestock productionin Nigeria (Biu et al., 2004).
These gastrointestinal parasites have caused direct production loss to livestock and indirectly by retarding the growth, lowering productivity and increasing susceptibility of animals to other infections (Yadav, 2006) Other indirect economic losses include lowered fertility, reduced work capacity, involuntary culling and treatment cost (Zahid et al., 2005) The common gastrointestinal parasites of cattle are the helminthes of the class nematode (Haemonchus spp., Ostertagia spp., Capillaria spp., Trichuris spp., Strongyliodes spp.), trematodes (Dicrocoelium spp., Fasciola spp., Amphistomes) and cestodes (Moniezia spp., Taenia spp.) (Lebbie, 1994). Protozoans parasites especially, coccidial parasites are the most commonly encountered in the ruminants. The most important coccidial of cattle include Eimeria and crypto sporidium species but Toxoplasma and Haemondia species have also been reported. While infections due to coccidial parasites are of less importance in cattle, their capacity to act as a vector and carrier of cryptosporidium that are pathogenic to other domesticated animals and man has been a source of worry (Adejinmi, 1996). While most of these studieson gastrointestinal parasites of cattle focused mostly on helminthes, less attention is paid to other parasites that could be of great economic and zoonotic importance. Furthermore, there is no information on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of cattle in Kwara State. Adequate knowledge about the dynamics and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites in Nigeria may help in the designing of therapeutic and epidemiological control of the diseases cause by the parasites.
Therefore, in Kwara Abattoir where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasite in Cow, Cattle or Goat Slaughter.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that cattle are a major source of animal protein in Nigeria. It contributes more than seventy percent (70%) of total protein consumed. In Nigeria, majority of these cattle are in the hand of pastoralists who take their cattle on a free range grazing and thus exposing them to various disease causing agents including parasitic helminthes and protozoans. The gastrointestinal parasites mainly helminthes and some protozoans are responsible for clinical and subclinical diseases of livestock and this has been a major constraint to livestock productionin Nigeria (Biu et al., 2004).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasite in Cow, Cattle or Goat Slaughter at Kwara Abattoir. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the gastrointestinal parasites prevalence in cattle
- To identify the various parasite involved in cattle Slaughter at Kwara Abattoir
- To provide preliminary information on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of cattle in Kwara Abattoir.
1.5 Significance of Study
This report provides preliminary information on gastrointestinal prevalence in cattle to the public health epidemiologists, veterinarians and farmers. This may have serious implication on the diagnosis, control and management of parasitic diseases in Kwara State.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasite in Cow, Cattle or Goat Slaughter at Kwara Abattoir.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Phytochemical: This is a substance produced mainly by plants, and these substances have biological activity.
Component: it simply means one part of a whole thing.
Antibacterial: Anything that destroys bacteria or suppresses their growth or their ability to reproduce. Heat, chemicals such as chlorine, and antibiotic drugs all have antibacterial properties.
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