Gastrointestinal parasite infections in small ruminants relative to host sex, age and husbandry system under the guinea savannah vegetation

Despite raising animals mostly as scavengers in the guinea savannah zone of Ghana, there is still scanty scientific information on effects this system health these animals. A study was conducted to document factors influencing prevalence rate gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites and their loads 500 small ruminants (250 each sheep goats). Prevalence about 86% recorded ruminants. Sheep, however, had higher (P<0.05) overall GIT parasite burden than goats. In sheep, significantly more females harboured strongyles males. Similarly, tapeworm general, were prevalent younger older sheep. Strongyle population growers adults, while Eimeria spp populations lambs adults growers. The load, all other age groups. goats, infections, coinfections Strongyloides spp/Eimeria spp, tapeworm/Emeria load much extensive semi-intensive systems management. also kids. Coinfections tapeworm/ increased with increasing age. high. However, found Younger goats kept management are prone infestation those ones, respectively.