Abstract

A study by qualitative fecal examination of 384 fecal samples (201 sheep and 183 goats) was conducted from November 2011 to April 2012 with the objective to determine the major gastrointestinal (GIT) nematodes of small ruminants and their prevalence in sheep and goats in Guto Gida District. The study showed that 186 (92.5%) sheep and 150 (81.97%) goats were found to harbor eggs of GIT nematodes. Both sheep and goats were infected with identical parasites species, but with different level of infection. The six genera of nematodes were identified with prevalence of 21.87, 14.87, 12.5, 10.67, 11.19 and 7.29% for Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Trichuris, Oesophagostomum, Bunostumum and Strongloides, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the prevalence of GIT nematodes between sex and species of animals but not for different age group. The study showed that GIT nematodes are major problems of small ruminants in the study area. Therefore, comprehensive study on GIT nematodes, cost effective control strategy and awareness creation to the farmers should be instituted in the area.

Key words: Sheep, goats gastrointestinal nematodes, Guto Gida District, Nekemte.