Occurrence of haemoparasites in cattle slaughtered at Jalingo abattoir, north-eastern Nigeria

Livestock plays a significant role in the economy of a nation but its productivity can be hampered by numerous haemoparasites thereby leading to economic losses to the livestock industry. The prevalence of haemoparasite in cattle slaughtered at Jalingo abattoir was investigated. A total of four hundred blood samples were collected at the point of slaughter, processed, and screened for haemoparasites by examining Giemsa-stained thin blood smears. An overall prevalence of 12.25% was recorded. Four haemoparasites of cattle with prevalence rates of 5.0%, 6.75%, 0.25%, and 0.25% for Anaplasma, Babesia, Microfilaria and Trypanosoma respectively were observed. The prevalence of haemoparasite in relation to sex, revealed higher infection in females (13.75%) than in males (10.0%) which were not found statistically different (P > 0.05). All breeds encountered during the study were infected with haemoparasites with the highest prevalence of 13.91 % recorded in White Fulani, Red Bororo (10.94%), and Sokoto Gudali (10.00 %), while Adamawa Gudali had the least prevalence of 0.5%. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of haemoparasite in relation to breeds (P > 0.05). High prevalence was observed in the young (14.29%) more than the adult (11.59%) and older (12.14%). The current study has revealed the haemoparasites status in cattle slaughtered at Jalingo abattoir. Therefore, there is a need for effective preventive and control policy of these haemoparasites to enhance livestock productivity. Keywords: Abattoir, cattle, haemoparasite, prevalence, slaughter