The incidence of infection and infestation by parasites (i.e. helminth, ectoparasites and haemoparasites) and the

relationship between them and cycling in cattle was investigated in 16 traditionally managed herds in Bauchi,

Nigeria. Parasitic infection and infestation show seasonality with most infections and infestations occurring in the rainy season. This study also shows some relationship between parasitic infection and infestation with cycling in some poorly managed herds. Good management practices were also shown to be important in disease control

and prevention

Kalla, D. J. U.

Kudi, A. C.

Universiti Putra Malaysia Institutional Repository

PertanikaJ. Trap. Agric. Sci. 24(2): 87 - 93 (2001) ISS : 1511-3701© Universiti Putra Malaysia PressPrevalence and Effect of Parasitic Infections on Cycling in TraditionallyManaged Cattle Herds in Bauchi, NigeriaA.C.KUDI# & DJ.U.KALLAAnimal Production ProgrammeSchool of AgricultureAbubakar Tafawa Balewa UniversityBauchi, NigeriaABSTRAKKejadian jangkitan dan infestasi oleh parasit (seperti helmint, ektoparasit dan hemoparasit) dan hubunganantara parasit tersebut dengan kitaran pada lembu telah dikaji pada sekumpulan 16 ekor lembu yang diurussecara tradisional di Bauchi, Nigeria. Jangkitan parasitik dan infestasi berlaku secara bermusim dengankebanyakan jangkitan dan infestasi berlaku dalam musim hujan. Kajian ini juga menunjukkan sesetenganhubungan antara jangkitan parasitik dan infestasi dengan kitaran pada sekawan lembu yang tidak diuruskandengan baik. Terbukti bahawa amalan pengurusan yang baik sangat penting dalam pengawalan danpencegahan penyakit.ABSTRACTThe incidence of infection and infestation by parasites (i.e. helminth, ectoparasites and haemoparasites) and therelationship between them and cycling in cattle was investigated in 16 traditionally managed herds in Bauchi,Nigeria. Parasitic infection and infestation show seasonality with most infections and infestations occurring inthe rainy season. This study also shows some relationship between parasitic infection and infestation with cyclingin some poorly managed herds. Good management practices were also shown to be important in disease controland prevention.INTRODUCTIONIn many countries of the world, parasitic infectionis of major importance in the animal productionsector (Blood 1979). In addition to the purelyphysical injury caused by the parasites, someserve as vectors of many viral, rickettsial, bacterialand protozoan diseases (Fabiyi 1984). They havea marked effect on the production of meat andmilk in Africa Qawara 1990).Given an appropriate environment, parasiticinfection may cause substantial losses inproduction or even acute clinical symptoms anddeath (Morley and Donald 1980). The diseasecauses a rather gradual deterioration of animalperformance and does not show dramatic clinicalsymptoms especially in mature animals (Okaemeand Ogwu 1984).Most losses in productivity of grazing animalsare now associated with clinically in-apparentdisease. Therefore the prevention and treatmentof parasitic infection involve measures appliedto the whole herd. The tropical climate isextremely conducive to the growth andpropagation of pathogens and consequently, theenvironment is rife with disease agents and theirvectors Qawara 1990). Helminthiasis is significantin this case and is a cause of high mortality anddecrease production in most farms in Africa (DeHaans and Bekure 1991).Helminthic diseases have been and are stillknown to be major causes of economic losses inlivestock in the tropical world and Nigeria inparticular (Maina 1986; Nuru and Dennis 1976;Ogunsusi 1985; Pullan 1979). Most of the lossesare due to decreased milk production, poor# Presently at: Dept of Agric. & Food Studies, University of Plymouth, Seale-Hayne Faculty EWTO ABBOT, Devon,TQ12 6NQ, United Kingdom. E-mail: HYFERLINKmailto:akudi@plymouth.ac.ukakudi@plymouth.ac.uk.A.C.KUDI & DJ.U.KALLAwool quality, inferior carcass grade, sterility, longcalving anoestrus and loss of weight (Georgi andGeorgi 1990; Istifanus et al. 1990; Mohammed etal. 1989; Morley and Donald 1980; Ngategizeand Kaneene 1985; Ogunsusi 1979).It is with the above in mind that this studywas undertaken to look at the prevalence ofparasitic infections and their effect on cycling ina herd health program involving traditionallymanaged cattle in northern Nigeria.MATERIALS AND METHODSLivestock Production SystemThe selected livestock farms in the study areapractice agropastoralism, which is regarded inthis part of the country as the traditionalmanaged herds. This involves a managementpractice whereby the farmers grow cash andfood crops in addition to raising livestock. Theagropastoralists practice limited transhumanceat the end of the crop-growing season to grazepredominantly maize and sorghum residuesduring early December to the end of May. Animalfeeds on offer during the rainy season and harvesttime decreases so fast that a more criticalnutritional stress period occurs during the pre-rainy season (Mid May to Mid June). Watering isdone in streams or ponds. There were nodeliberate management systems or strategy aimedat controlling the breeding season. Bulls runwith the breeding females all the time thusallowing cows to conceive throughout the year,thereby spreading the farmers income from saleof milk.Selection of HerdsHerds were selected in Bauchi area becauseBauchi State has the largest population oflivestock in Nigeria and is considered thelivestock hub of the country (Ajayi 1995). Onlytraditionally managed farms were selected. Atthe beginning of the study, 25 herds wererandomly selected but as the study progressed,some herds dropped out. This was because ofsuspicion that the study was a head count for taxpurposes.Fieldwork/ObservationThe fieldwork coveredJanuary 1993 to December1995. Planned periodic monthly visits were madeto each herd. At the start of the study throughthe end, every animal in each herd was examinedindividually. On each visit to each herd, bloodand faecal samples were taken and examined forhaemoparasites and helminths (strongyles) usingthe thin smear method and floatation methodrespectively. Tick infestation was also notedespecially when seen around the legs, mammarygland, dew lap and in-between legs areas. Rectalexamination was carried out on each visit tocheck for pregnancy and / or ovarian activity.Palpation for pregnancy diagnosis was done asdescribed by Eduvie and Dawuda (1986) andVoh JR et al. (1994).Statistical AnalysisSimple percentages, chi square and cow-monthsmethods were used to analyse the data(Remington and Schork 1972). Cow months wasused to account for additions and subtractionsto and from the herds. The seasonal index(average of the 3 years cow months value) wascalculated for each herd by combining the cowmonth data for the 3 years and plotting it to givea calculated seasonal index.RESULTSDuring the study, 5 herds dropped out after thefirst year of study and 2 dropping out during thesecond year of study. This was taken care ofstatistically using the cow month method ofanalysis.The yearly distribution of parasites in theselected herds showed that the prevalencedecreased in almost all the herds. The prevalenceof haemoparasites infection decreased in allherds for at least the first two years of studyexcept for Kobi, Bula and Tahir herds (Tables 1and 2). These herds had high prevalence in thethird year. Furthermore infection were found tobe due to anaplasmosis (Table 1) than babesiosis(Table 2) and both infections showed seasonalityin their prevalence (Fig 1). Even though mostherds have the prevalence of anaplasmosisreduced with years, Kobi, Bula and Tahir herdshave a higher incidence in the third year. Forbabesiosis, only the Bula herd had higherprevalence in the third year. A similar trend wasobserved for helminthiasis except that Fawu andKobi herds have higher incidence in the thirdyear (Tables 3 and 4) (Fig 1). Species of ticksidentified were Amblyoma and Hyaloma species.The general picture in this study is that diseases88 PERTANIKAJ. TRap. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 24 NO.2, 2001PARASITIC INFECTIONS ON CYCLING IN TRADITIONALLY MANAGED CATTLE HERDS IN BAUCHI, NIGERIA1000,----------------------,750250~\~ ~ ~ ~ >- ~ oJ 0 ~ g > ~< ~ :> 0~ ~ < ZM01'(Jli-0-- ISOU.TED SE'ASONAL INDEX ( TICKS).•••..<>..••... (SOU.TED SEASONAL INDEX ( HELMIN11iS)····0···· (SOU.TED SEASONAL INDEX ( HAEMOPARASrrE)Fig. 1: Seasonal distribution of parasites in 16 herds in Bauchi (1993-1995)TABLE 1Yearly incidence of anapalma infection (expressed per hundred cow months)FARM 1993 1994 1995Cow No %/100 Cow No %/100 Cow No %/100month +ve cow month +ve cow month +ve cowmonths months monthsUNIVERSITY 368 25 6.8 519 25 4.8 501 0 0FAWU 593 23 3.9 566 17 3.0 634 12 1.9KOBI 785 45 5.7 715 20 2.8 584 25 4.3OSKA 772 27 3.5 704 10 1.4 588 0 0JUMBA 728 42 5.8 678 17 2.5 802 9 1.1BULA 514 15 2.9 580 4 0.7 530 23 4.3STATE POLY. 366 13 3.6 419 3 0.7 447 0 0BUBA 393 40 10.2 407 12 2.9 X X XLIBC 541 42 7.8 436 11 2.5 X X XCIWO 515 10 1.9 480 3 0.6 502 2 0.4TAHIR 409 26 6.4 279 0 0 458 2 0.4BARAMI 225 0 0 X X X X X XCALAMBI 206 3 1.5 X X X X X XBISHI 493 7 1.6 X X X X X XMIRI 493 7 1.6 X X X X X XMAIKANO 318 0 0 X X X X X XX - Not done (farms dropped out)PERTANIKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 24 0.2,2001 89A.C.KUDI & DJ.U.KALLATABLE 2Yearly incidence of babesia infection (expressed as per hundred cow months)FARM 1993 1994 1995Cow No %/100 Cow No %/100 Cow No %/100month +ve cow month +ve cow month +ve cowmonths months monthsUNIVERSITY 368 5 1.4 519 1 0.2 501 0 0FAWU 593 4 0.7 566 0 0 634 0 0KOBI 785 9 1.2 715 3 0.4 584 2 0.3OSKA 772 5 0.7 704 1 0.1 588 0 0JUMBA 728 6 0.8 678 3 0.4 802 0 0BULA 514 2 0.4 580 0 0 530 2 0.4STATE POLY. 366 1 0.3 419 0 0 447 0 0BUBA 393 3 0.8 407 0 0 X X XLIBC 541 5 0.9 436 2 0.5 X X XCIWO 515 0 0 480 0 0 502 0 0TAHIR 409 2 0.5 279 0 0 458 0 0BARAMI 225 0 0 X X X X X XCALAMBI 206 0 0 X X X X X XBISHI 493 0 0 X X X X X XMIRI 493 1 1.2 X X X X X XMAIKANO 318 0 0 X X X X X XX - Not done (farms dropped out)TABLE 3Yearly incidence of helminths (expressed as per hundred cow months)FARM 1993 1994 1995Cow 0 %/100 Cow No %/100 Cow 0 %/100month +ve cow month +ve cow month +ve cowmonths months monthsUNIVERSITY 368 62 16.8 519 33 6.4 501 32 6.4FAWU 593 75 12.6 566 30 5.3 634 51 8.0KOBI 785 132 16.8 715 54 7.6 584 63 10.8OSKA 772 64 8.3 704 24 3.4 588 17 2.9JUMBA 728 100 13.7 678 52 7.7 802 28 3.5BULA 514 37 7.2 580 13 2.2 530 22 4.2STATE POLY. 366 41 11.2 419 24 5.7 447 26 5.8BUBA 393 61 15.5 407 45 11.1 X X XLIBC 541 91 16.8 436 69 15.8 X X XCIWO 515 46 8.9 480 34 7.1 502 24 4.8TAHIR 409 66 16.1 279 19 6.8 458 27 5.9BARAMI 225 16 7.1 X X X X X XCALAMBI 206 15 7.3 X X X X X XBISHI 493 54 12.8 X X X X X XMIRI 493 46 9.3 X X X X X XMAIKANO 318 32 10.1 X X X X X XX - Not done (farms dropped out)90 PERTANIKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 24 NO.2, 2001PARASITIC INFECTIONS ON CYCLING IN TRADITIONALLY MANAGED CATTLE HERDS IN BAUCHI, NIGERIATABLE 4Yearly incidence of ectoparasite (expressed as per hundred cow months)FARM 1993 1994 1995Cow No %/100 Cow No %/100 Cow No %/100month +ve cow month +ve cow month +ve cowmonths months monthsUNIVERSITY 368 149 40.5 519 86 16.6 501 52 lOAFAWU 593 82 13.8 566 77 13.6 634 53 804KOBI 785 126 16.1 715 73 10. 584 73 12.5OSKA 772 129 16.7 704 57 8.1 588 22 3.7JUMBA 728 111 15.2 678 122 18.0 802 26 3.2BULA 514 32 6.2 580 19 3.3 530 59 11.1STATE POLY. 366 38 lOA 419 35 804 447 29 6.5BUBA 393 64 16.3 407 61 15.0 X X XLIBC 541 76 14.0 436 83 19.0 X X XGIWO 515 34 6.6 480 50 lOA 502 30 6.0TAHIR 409 69 16.9 279 23 8.2 458 25 5.5BARAMI 225 10 404 X X X X X XGALAMBI 206 11 5.3 X X X X X XBISHI 493 20 4.8 X X X X X XMIRI 493 0 0 X X X X X XMAlKANO 318 13 4.1 X X X X X Xx - Not done (farms dropped out)cause by these parasites occurred mainly duringthe rainy season (Fig. 1).The relationship between parasitic infectionand cycling, shown in Tables 5 and 6, showedthat only in the University and Buba herds thatectoparasitism was found to affect cycling in thefirst and second year of study (P<O.l), whileendoparasites affected cycling (P<O.l) in Jumbaand Tahir herds in the third year only.DISCUSSIONThe livestock industry in Nigeria, is faced withmany problems and one of such problems isparasitic diseases Uawara 1990). Parasiticinfection is known to cause great economic losesin livestock production in Africa in general (AJayi1995). In this study, babesiosis and anaplasmosiswere the only haemoparasites encountered in allherds and most infections were due toanaplasmosis. High incidences were recordedfor the herds in the first year of study, which wasseen to reduce greatly in the second and thirdyear of study respectively. This was due to thecontrol measures instituted on a herd basisagainst tick infestation followed by prophylactictreatment. However, the incidence became highin Kobi, Bula and Tahir herds because of newadditions to the herds during the third year.Infestation due to helminths was found tobe mainly by strongyles. The higher incidence inthe first year was reduced in the second andthird year in all the herds except Fawu and Kobiherds where new animals were added during thethird year. Seasonality of infestation was noticedfor both haemoparasites and helminths. Thisagrees with the work of Fabiyi (1984) andIstifanus et at. (1990) where outbreaks ofhelminthiasis occurred in farms, during the rainyseason. It also demonstrated negligible peak ofinfective larvae or eggs during the dry seasonwith a carry over of infective materials in thehost from one wet season to the next. Theseason distribution was used during the courseof the study to device control measures byplanned deworming of herds during the rainyseason. This resulted in the improvements seenin the herds at the second and third year ofstudy. The main problem encountered in mostherds was that instead of treating their herds ona herd basis, the farmers treat individual cases.However, this study has demonstrated thattreatment on a herd basis takes care of not onlyclinical cases but subclinical ones too. Subclinicalcases are known to be responsible for mostdecrease in productivity of herds (Blood andRadostits 1995).PERTANIKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 24 NO.2, 2001 91A.C.KUDI & DJ.U.KALLAA similar trend of distribution as that ofhaemoparasites and helminthiasis was observedfor tick infestation in this study. Infection andinfestation for the 3 classes of parasitesencountered in our study showed seasonality indistribution. Most of the infection and infestationoccurred during the rainy season. This could bebecause the climate was conducive for theirmultiplication and development (Ajayi 1995;Jawara 1990).Statistically, only in a few herds, wheremanagement was very poor, that a relationshipbetween parasitic infection/infestation andcycling was found (P<O.O 1). From our study, itwas shown that there was seasonality of infection/infestation in herds in Bauchi and this infor-mation could be used to plan a control programin herds in these areas. It also showed that goodmanagement is essential for disease control andprevention and in increasing productivity byincreasing the rate of cycling and hencepregnancy.REFERENCESAJAVI, S.T. 1995. An overview of livestockproductivity in Nigeria. Paper presented atA National Workshop on Nutrition and Healthas constraints to increased Livestock Productivityin Nigeria, Bauchi, 14th_16th November.BLOOD, D.C. 1979. The veterinarian in plannedanimal health and production. Can. Vet. J20: 341-347.BLOOD, D.C. and O.M. RADOSTITS. 1995. HerdHealth: A Textbook of Health and ProductionManagement ofAgricultural Animals. New York,U.S.A: W.B. Saunders Company.DE HAANs, C. and S. BEKURE. 1991. Animal healthservices in sub-Saharan Africa. Initialexperiences with alternative Approaches.World Bank Technical Paper 134: 1-34.EDUVIE, L.O. and P.M. DAWUDA. 1986. Effect ofsuckling on reproductive activities of Bunajicows during the postpartum period.J Agric.Sci. (Cambridge) 107: 235-238.FABIYI, JP. 1984. Coping with clinical tick-bornedisease in cattle in Nigeria. Nigerian LivestockFarmer 4(3): 7-11.GEORGI, JR and M.E. GEORGI. 1990. Parasitologyfor Veterinarians. 5th Edition. London: W.N.Saunders Company.ISTIFAJ"'Jus, W.A, D.M. MOHAMMED and AC. KUD!.1990. An investigation into the prevalenceof bovine gastrointestinal helminth parasitesin Bauchi area of Nigeria. NigerianJ of Tech.Res. 2(2): 145-146.jAWARA, D.K. 1990. Animal disease as a factorlimiting economic development in Mrica.Cornell Veterinarian 80: 17-25.MAl A, JA. 1986. Animal health in subhumidNigeria. In Livestock System Research in Nigeria'sSub-Humid Zone, eds. Von Kaufmann, R,Charter, S. and Blench, R. Pp 167-188.Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, ILCA.MOHAMMED A, W.A. ISTIFANUS and N.H. ANYAWU.1989. Parasitological survey of bovineanaplasmosis in Bauchi area of Nigeria. Nig.J Tech. Res. 1: 97-80.MORLEY, F.H.W. and AD. DONALD. 1980. Farmmanagement and systems of helminthcontrol. Veterinary Parasitology 6: 105-134.NGATEGIZE, P.K. andJB. KANEENE. 1985. Evaluationof the economic impact of animal diseaseson production: a review. Vet. Bull. 55: 153-162.NURU, S. and S.N. DENNIS. 1976. Abortion andreproductive performance of cattle innorthern Nigeria. A questionnaire survey.Trop. Ani. Health and Prod. 8: 213-219.OGUNSUSI, RA 1985. Parasitic problems and con-trol in small ruminants production. In SmallRuminants Production in Nigeria, eds. Adu,I.F., Osinowo, A.O., Taiwo, B.A.B. andAlhassan, W.S. In Proceedings of the Conferenceon Small Ruminants Production in Nigeria, p.231-238. Zaria, Nigeria, 6th-10th October,NAPRI, Shika.OGUNSUSI, RA. 1979. Pasture infectivity withtrichstrongylid larvae in northern guineaSavannah of Nigeria. Res. In Vet. Sci. 26: 320-323.OKAEME, A.N. and D. OGwu. 1984. Helminthprofile of migrant cattle in the Kainji lakebasin of Nigeria. Nig. J Agri. Extension 2(1):30-35.92 PERTANlKAJ. TROP. AGRIe. SCI. VOL. 24 NO.2, 2001PARASITIC INFECTIONS ON CYCLING IN TRADITIONALLY MANAGED CATTLE HERDS IN BAUCHI, NIGERIAPULlAN, N.V. 1979. Productivity of white fulanicattle on Jos plateau, Nigeria. 171. Nutri-tional factors. Trop. Ani. Health and Prod. 12:17-24.REM! IGTO ,T. and K. SCHORK. 1970. Statistics withApplication to Biological and Health Sciences,p.340. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:Prentice-Hall Inc.VOH, JR.A A., D. OGWU and E.O. OYEDIPE. 1994.Incidence of late embryonic mortality andrepeat breeder syndrome in artificiallyinseminated Bunaji cows following oestrussynchronization. Paper presented at NationalAnimal Production Research Institute(NAPRI) Seminar, Ahmadu Bello University,Zaria, Nigeria, 12th April.(Received: 22 March 2000)(Accepted: 28 August 2001)PERTANIKAJ. TROP. AGRIC. SCI. VOL. 24 NO.2, 2001 93

Prevalence and effect of parasitic infections on cycling in traditionally managed cattle herds in Bauchi, Nigeria

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Prevalence and effect of parasitic infections on cycling in traditionally managed cattle herds in Bauchi, Nigeria

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