225 Curricula-Based trainers’ Training: Integrated Approach for Preventing Diseases and Parasites in Small Ruminants in the Southeast

The study investigated the socio-economic factors affecting small ruminant production in Ohafia Agricultural Zone of Abia state. Specifically the study examined the socioeconomic characteristic of the small ruminant farmers, management system of production, estimated the net return of the enterprises, determinants of small ruminant production and identify constraints militating against small ruminant animal production the study area. A multi stage sampling technique was used to sample for eighty (80) respondents from Bende and Ohafia local government areas, forty respondents from each respectively. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive such as frequency and percentages. More so gross margin and regression models were also used. Results of the study showed that the respondents had a mean age of thirty–nine (39) years. About 57.5% were males, 56.3% were married, 98.5% had one form of education or the other, a yearly income of ₦ 68,438 was estimated. The gross margin estimate showed that the enterprise was profitable. The F-ratio was statistically significant at 5%, socio-economic characteristics such as age, household size, income and rearing experience, were statistically significant at various level and were the major factor that influenced small ruminant production. Major constraints identified include; insufficient fund, disease incidence, and others. The study therefore recommends that younger people should be encouraged into small ruminant production because small ruminant animal production is laborious. The younger people are energetic to take up the task involved. The farmers should also form cooperative societies to increase their access to credit facilities. Keywords: socio-economic, characteristics, profit, small ruminants, production

The present research was planned to assess the occurrence of intestinal parasites in small ruminants of Upper Dir of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. For this purpose, the faecal material was collected randomly with gloved fingers directly from the rectum region of sheep and goats and the faecal materials were then put in hygienic plastic bottles with 10% formalin. The overall 315 (n=184 sheep and n= 131 goats) faecal samples were collected out of 315 samples, 281 were found positive for different parasites. Patterns-wise prevalence of GI parasites of the study area was found. Overall Single parasitism 89.20% (281/315) with 94.0% (173/184) in sheep and 82.43% (108/131) in goats. Double parasitic infection in small ruminant recorded in which Fasciola+ Haemonchus. contortus in sheep were found their prevalence was 25.54% (47/184). While in goats, the double parasitic infection in which Haemonchus contortus+Trichuris spp were found and their prevalence were 23.43% (30/131). The species found in the sample of sheep were includes, i.e., Strongyloides papillosus (41.30%), Heamonchus controtus (21.73%), Trichuris ovis (17.39%), and Fasciola hepatica (13.58%), the corresponding value for goat were Strongyloides spp 33.33% (36/108), Haemonchus spp 28.70%, (27/108), Trichuris spp 25.20% (27/184) and Fasciola spp 10.68% (14/184). The sheep of the study area are more infected as compared to goats. This study suggested that gastrointestinal parasites are major health problems of small ruminants in the study area. Therefore, a comprehensive study on species of gastrointestinal parasites circulating in the area, control options, cost-effective strategies and awareness about gastrointestinal parasites among the farmers in the study area should be instituted.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants in Grenada, West Indies.

This review gathered information from peer-reviewed publications on the epidemiology, prevention and control of gastrointestinal helminths (GIHs) parasites of small ruminants in the Caribbean region from 1990 to 2021. Literature search was performed on four electronic databases using a combination of search terms and Boolean operators. Results showed that gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) were the most common parasites, with seven genera documented across six reviewed countries. Haemonchus contortus was the most common species occurring in all six countries, and predominant in occasions where mixed infections were observed. Moniezia species were the only Platyhelminth species documented in Trinidad and Grenada. The overall prevalence of GIH infections was observed to be high in goats than in sheep. A high level of anthelminthic resistance (AR) with H. contortus was reported, whilst other nematodes showed to be effectively controlled by one or more anthelmintic drugs. FAMACHA© method was applied in the identification of anaemic animals for selective treatment, hence contributing to the decreased use of anthelmintic drugs. There is a need for national surveys of GIHs and AR in small ruminants in the Caribbean countries. Surveys, coupled with the use of molecular techniques to detect and identify species of GIHs present in the Caribbean region, as well as their epidemiology which will inform development of integrated control strategies is recommended. There is also a need to create awareness to small ruminant farmers in the region on the prevailing challenge of AR and limit wanton use of anthelminthics to reduce or prevent AR in small ruminants.

This study assessed the economic viability of compensatory growth (CG) strategies in small ruminant production in North-Eastern Nigeria. A mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating controlled feeding trials with stakeholder interviews to evaluate both biological performance and factors influencing adoption. Twenty small ruminants (10 sheep and 10 goats) were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving conventional feeding or an experimental group subjected to two months of feed restriction followed by two months of unrestricted feeding. Data on feed intake, body weight changes and production costs were collected, while interviews with 100 small ruminant producers explored socio-cultural and institutional determinants of adoption. Results indicated that animals under the CG regime achieved higher body weight gain (6.8 kg compared with 4.2 kg) and average daily gain (50.4 g/day compared with 33.3 g/day) while consuming less feed (94.3 kg compared with 107.5 kg). Economically, the CG strategy generated higher net returns (₦32,405.7 compared with ₦21,132.5) and a superior cost–benefit ratio (2.17 compared with 1.77), with t-test analyses confirming statistical significance (p < 0.05). Despite these advantages, adoption was constrained by high feed costs, limited access to credit, inadequate extension and veterinary services, poor infrastructure, and socio-cultural factors such as education and traditional beliefs. The study concludes that CG feeding is both biologically and economically viable, and adoption can be enhanced through targeted training, credit access, and institutional support. The study recommends targeted training, improved access to credit and affordable feed, strengthened extension and veterinary services, and community engagement to enhance adoption and sustainability of CG feeding among smallholder farmers.

Small ruminants (sheep and goat) are essential components of the mixed farming system of Nepal. About 13.6 million small ruminants in the country contributing to the food, nutrition, and economic security has been integral part of the mountain ecosystem and rural economy. Despite of their large population, country is facing great trade deficit in products like meat, milk, wool and fibres. Low production is associated with impoverished productive potential of indigenous breed that are reared under abysmally managed subsistence farming. This study has tried to review the existing breeds, breeding system and opportunities within the challenges to enhance production and productivity of small ruminants. The findings revealed that genetic improvement through selection and crossbreeding with enhance feeding and management practices can be powerful tool in increasing production efficiency of the animal. Crossbred of native breed of sheep Baruwal with exotic breed Polworth and Merino and native breed of goat Khari with exotic breed Boer and Jamunapari gave better performance of many production and reproductive traits. The increased productivity of small ruminants will not only be a boon for small holders but will also greatly contribute to the national economy.

This study reports on detection and prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis in slaughtered sheep and goats at abattoirs of Ethiopia. A total of 1152 sheep and goats (576 sheep and 576 goats) were randomly sampled and examined postmortem after slaughter for presence of C. tenuicollis in the visceral organs of the animals using standard meat inspection procedures. Out of 1152 animals examined 127 livers were destroyed as a consequence of gross lesions induced by the C. tenuicollis. The economical loss is estimated to be 65,269.89 USD or 1,044,317.79 ETB per year. Out of the 576 goats and 576 sheep inspected for visceral organs, C. tenuicollis was found in 63.9% of goats (n=368) and 56.8% of sheep (n=327), respectively. Adult goats (68.8%) and sheep (61.5%) were more infested than kids (59.03%) and lambs (52.1%), respectively. Goats (68.1%) and sheep (60.1%) from highland areas were more infested than goats (59.7%) and sheep (53.5%) from lowland areas. This study also shows that C. tenuicollis is more frequently detected in the omentum of goats and sheep than any other visceral organs. Appropriate control measures need to be introduced to reduce the prevalence of these parasites in small ruminants. Key words: Abattoir, Cysticercus tenuicollis, Ethiopia, goats, sheep, prevalence.

One of the great challenges of veterinary parasitology is the search for alternative methods for controlling gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants. Milk kefir is a traditional source of probiotic, with great therapeutic potential. The objective of this study was to investigate the anthelmintic effects of kefir on the abomasal nematode Haemonchus contortus from sheep. The study used camel, goat, ewe and cow milk as a starting material, to produce camel, goat, cow and ewe milk kefir. All kefirs showed a significant concentration-dependent effect on H. contortus egg hatching at all tested concentrations. The highest inhibition (100%) of eggs was observed with camel milk kefir at a concentration 0.125 mg/ml. In relation to the effect of kefirs on the survival of adult parasites, all kefirs induced concentration-dependent mortality in adults, with variable results. The complete mortality (100%) of adults of H. contortus occurred at concentrations in the range 0.25-2 mg/ml. The highest inhibition of motility (100%) of worms was observed after 8 h post exposure with camel milk kefir at 0.25 mg/ml. These findings indicate that kefir can be considered a potential tool to control haemonchosis in sheep. Further investigations are needed to assess the active molecules in kefir responsible for its anthelmintic properties and to investigate similar in vivo effects.

Consensus Statements of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) provide veterinarians with guidelines regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, or treatment of animal diseases. The foundation of the Consensus Statement is evidence‐based medicine, but if such evidence is conflicting or lacking, the panel provides interpretive recommendations on the basis of their collective expertise. The Consensus Statement is intended to be a guide for veterinarians, but it is not a statement of standard of care or a substitute for clinical judgment. Topics of statements and panel members to draft the statements are selected by the Board of Regents with input from the general membership. A draft prepared and input from Diplomates is solicited at the Forum and via the ACVIM Web site and incorporated in a final version. This Consensus Statement was approved by the Board of Regents of the ACVIM before publication.

Background: Internal parasitosis is the most important parasitism in small ruminants in tropical region. Synthetic anthelmintics are usually used for their control. Due to the emergence of resistance in worm population, the use of alternative methods such as plants bioactive molecules are developed. This study aimed at assessing anthelmintic activity of nine varieties of Cajanus cajan, a taniferous plant cultivated in West Africa. Methods: Leaves of the nine varieties of Cajanus cajan were dried, ground and hydroacetonic extracts were obtained by cold maceration at a concentration of 60 mg/ml. Live adult of Haemonchus contortus were obtained from sheep’s stomach and exposed, in triplicate, to the following solutions: hydroacetonic extracts (60 mg/ml), hydroacetonic extracts (60 mg/ml) associated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (50 mg/ml), Levamisole (20 mg/ml) and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution. Worm death time was recorded for each treatment. Result: Worms exposed to Levamisole recorded the shortest death time about 9.73±1.77 min. The potent of the extracts induced worm death time of 64.83±4.73 min while the least efficient induced a death time of 156.50±23.20 min. Worms in the PBS solution were still alive after 24 hours of exposure. These results indicated that the four varieties of C. cajan used in this study have promising wormicidal. Besides that, the effect of tannins were not the only compound responsible for the anthelmintic activity.

Teladorsagia circumcincta is among the most important gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants and the predominant species in Southern European goats. Parasite control is largely based on metaphylactic/preventative treatments, which is often seen as non-sustainable anymore. The reasons are increased consumer demand to reduce chemicals in livestock production and anthelmintic resistance against the common drugs. This study aimed at the development of a T. circumcincta-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specifically for goats. Samples were obtained from goats raised parasite-free or infected experimentally. Sampling continued during the following pasture season and housing period. The sensitivity for the use in bulk milk samples as an indicator of T. circumcincta infection levels in grazing goats was examined. The ELISA enables clear differentiation of negative and positive animals. With a specificity of 100% negative cut-off values for serum and milk were 0.294 and 0.228 (sensitivity, 95%). Positive cut-off values (sensitivity, 90%) were 0.606 (serum) and 0.419 (milk), while a sensitivity of 95% resulted in 0.509 and 0.363, respectively. The grey-zone between negative/positive cut-offs was introduced to deal with animals in pre-patency and decreasing antibody levels after infection. There was no cross reactivity for Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Cooperia oncophora while for Haemonchus contortus and Fasciola hepatica it cannot be fully excluded currently. In bulk milk samples, 5% of the milk had to be contributed from animals infected with T. circumcincta to be detected as positive. The results derived from experimentally and naturally infected as well as parasite naïve animals indicate the potential of the ELISA to be used in targeted anthelmintic treatment regimes in goats.

The Five Point Check © for targeted selective treatment of internal parasites in small ruminants

Subclinical mastitis in small ruminants is of concern due to the animal welfare, economic, public health, productivity, and livelihood impacts that it may pose. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2017 to April 2018 in and around Jimma town, Southwest, Ethiopia; to estimate the prevalence of subclinical mastitis, to isolate bacterial pathogens responsible for the occurrence of subclinical mastitis, and to identify risk factors associated with the development of subclinical mastitis in small ruminants. Milk samples were collected from 186 apparently healthy lactating small ruminants, tested on the field with the California Mastitis Test, and samples tested positive were subjected to bacteriological examinations. Out of 372 milk samples collected, 92(24.8%) samples from 70 animals were positive by the California Mastitis Test and these were cultured on different media. Through bacteriological examinations, six isolates of bacteria were identified which include; S. aureus (8.1%), S. epidermidis (10.2%), S. intermidus (2.2%), S. hyicus (1.6%), S. agalactiae (3.2%), and E. coli (12.4%). The highest prevalence of subclinical mastitis recorded was due to Staphylococcus species (22%) followed by E. coli (12.4%) and the least prevalence was due to S. agalactiae (3.2%). The overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis among small ruminants was 37.6%. Age and parity number variations among small ruminants were found important in influencing the prevalence in statistically significant (P = 0.00) extents. The highest prevalence of subclinical mastitis was recorded in old (24.7%) and in small ruminants having >5 parity numbers (24.7%). The high prevalence of small ruminant subclinical mastitis in the study area suggests that intervention strategies their-goal-being prevention and control of subclinical mastitis should be designed; so as to improve the welfare of animals, to save people consuming the milk of small ruminants from zoonotic risks, and to harvest the diverse benefits that may be generated from small ruminant production.

In the study, the socio-economic determinant of small ruminants’ production in rural setting in Nigeria was investigated. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection from 120 small ruminants’ farmers and analysed with descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings show that older farmers (55%) dominated ownership of goats and sheep. Semi intensive system was still practiced with majority dependent on forage grazing for the animals. Major identified problems constraining small ruminant production included lack of capital/credit, land, pests/diseases and feed shortage. A regression analysis result showed that certain socio-economic variables such as income, years of rearing experience and educational level had direct impact on small ruminant production (R 2 =0.78). The findings suggest that improved small ruminant production could be achieved by giving considerations to those significant variables; creating enabling environment through the provision of micro-credit and extension services to ameliorate the problems faced by the farmers.

Small ruminants are important components of smallholder production systems in dry regions of the country andrequire technological transformation for bringing the farmers out of the vicious cycle of poverty. There is hugescope of improving the income and livelihood of farmers in these harsh topographies because of expanding marketand demand for small ruminant products. Live animal sale is the main source of income from small ruminantscontribute up to three-fourths-of total income. Milk of sheep is produced in negligible amount and consumed inhouseholds while goat milk is well in demand but small portion is sold by farmers and mostly used in households.The price of wool is depressed, whereas carpet wool produced in some regions receives prime price in the market.The main factors affecting small ruminant production in dry areas are feed scarcity, poor genetic make of animals,poor health cover facilities, lack of proximity to market and climate change effects. The technological adoption forenhancing productivity of small ruminants in dry areas has been discussed in this overview. The genetic improvement of small ruminant resources, valuation of breeds, exploring value addition/alternative uses of wool and goat milk, improvement of range management, feed base, use of unconventional feeds, flock health management, reproduction management, improving feed efficiency, value addition, quality issues, creating farmers' organisations, improving market access are some of the issues that need priority in research and development for improving productivity of small ruminants for better livelihood security and income generation of farmers in dryland regions. With the concerted efforts of research, extension and development workers, living conditions of small ruminants farmers can be improved which will alleviate poverty, create employment opportunity in rural areas and reduce migration of younger generation to the cities.