Gastrointestinal parasites infection in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) of Nigeria

Abstract

One hundred and five (105) Camels were investigated at the Maiduguri abattoir, Nigeria using floatation and sedimentation techniques for helminth parasites and haematological indices with the microhaematocrit reader. Overall, prevalence of infection was 92.4% [(Coccidia (8.5%), Strongyloides (8.5%), Trichuris (11.4%), Ciliates (6.7%), Ascaris sp. (3.8%), Moniezia sp. (1.9%), Amphistome sp. (0.9%) and Balantidium sp. (0.9%)]. There was no significant difference between infected and non-infected camels for blood parameters. There is need to regularly deworm camels and further study the impact of helminthes in the camel especially with respect to its zoonotic potentials in countries with significant population of camels.