EFFECT OF SINGLE AND MULTIPLE PARASITIC INFECTIONS ON BODY WEIGHT AND SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF SHEEP IN GOMBE STATE

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasite infection results in negative influence on average daily weight gains, growth rate and some haematological parameters of sheep [1]. Despite the remarkable achievement in the discovery of gastrointestinal parasite drugs with increased spectra of activity, nematode infection and disease remain some of the greatest limiting factors in the production of sheep worldwide [2]. The present study will contribute to determining the effect of single and multiple gastro-intestinal parasite infection on body weight, feacal egg count and some haematological parameters which will also lead to overall effort to tackle the gastrointestinal parasite and their menace. This may however include efforts at prevention, control and treatment and, ultimately selection and breeding for tolerance/ resistance leading to increased productivity which is an essential goal in any livestock enterprise. Increased productivity may translate into improvement in livelihood/welfare of the populace which is in line with one of  the key areas the conference theme seek to addressed particularly in the field of Animal Agriculture. In addition, the study might also provide useful information for further research.