Prevalence and Significance of Parasites of Horses in Some States of Northern Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and significance of parasites of horses in northern Nigeria. Blood and faecal samples were randomly collected from 243 horses from different stables in some states of northern Nigeria for laboratory analyses. Fifty-seven horses (23.5%) were found infected with parasites. The hemoparasites detected, 21 (8.6%), include Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma evansi. The endoparasites encountered, 29 (11.9%) were Strongylus spp., Strongyloides spp., Oxyuris equi, Parascaris equorum, Paragonimus spp. and Dicrocoelium spp., 3 (1.2%) was Eimeria spp. Four horses (1.6%) had mixed infection of hemo- and endoparasites. This preliminary finding shows that parasitism is a problem in the horse stables examined, and calls for proper stable hygiene, routine tick control and regular deworming programme.

Gastrointestinal parasites of horses (<i>Equus caballus</i> Linnaeus, 1758) and risk factors associated with equine coccidiosis in Kwara and Niger States, Nigeria

“…The fact that Strongylus spp. was the most prevalent parasite in our study concurs with reports from previous researchers in Nigeria (Ehizibolo et al, 2012;Umar et al, 2013;Wosu & Udobi, 2014), Pakistan (Khan et al, 2017) and Nepal (Oli & Subedi, 2018). The high prevalence of nematodes (Strongylus spp.)…”

“…Also, differences in the environment-host interaction, environment-parasitic interaction and host-parasite interaction (Radostitis et al, 2000;Belete & Derso, 2015) may have contributed to the varying prevalence rates. We detected eleven different GI parasites in our study as against the fewer numbers detected in previous studies conducted in Nigeria (Ehizibolo et al, 2012;Umar et al, 2013;Wosu & Udobi 2014). The higher number detected could be attributed to the better sensitivity of the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique used in this study, which the preferred method for the detection of GI (Truant et al, 1981;Lier et al, 2009) as the technique separates parasites from fats and faecal debris.…”

“…Also, meat, milk, hide, bones, blood, hooves and pharmaceuticals are other important products derived from horses (Abiola et al, 2016;Ola-Fadunsin et al, 2018). Horses are associated with royalty and some special traditional festivals in some parts of Nigeria (Ehizibolo et al, 2012;Ola-Fadunsin et al, 2018). Equines are generally considered as hardy and resistant animals.…”

Occurrence of Parasitic Diseases of Horses in Osun State, Nigeria: A Retrospective Evaluation

“…Ticks are known vector for equine babesiosis (Kerber et al, 2009), the reason for the high prevalence of babesiosis recorded in our study, following the high prevalence of tick infestation. Helminthoses, mange and trypanosomiasis are known parasitic diseases affecting horses in Nigeria and other parts of the world (Osman et al, 2006;Ehizibolo et al, 2012;Berhanu et al, 2014). The yearly distribution of parasitic diseases showed no defined pattern, although striking prevalences for all the parasitic diseases with exception of trypanosomiasis were seen in 2015.…”

“…Horses and humans interact in many aspects and this includes working activities such as police service, agriculture, pleasure riding, polo games, ceremonies, crowd control, entertainment and research. Also, important products are derived from horses such as meat, milk, hide, bones, blood, hooves and pharmaceuticals (Ehizibolo et al, 2012;Abiola et al, 2016). In some parts of Nigeria, horses are associated with royalty and some special traditional festivals (Ehizibolo et al, 2012).…”