Identification and prevalence of intestinal parasites from slaughtered cows in Saki and Ago-Are Abattoirs

Taxonomy is the scientific practice of identifying different organisms, classifying them into categories (taxa) and naming them. A cross-sectional systematic random sampling of 101 cattle slaughtered in major Abattoirs of Saki and Ago –Are were undertaken for six months. The samples were collected and processed by using simple flotation technique. The fecal sample (5g) was collected into a sterile polythene bag and transported to the laboratory for microscopic examination. One gram of fecal sample were dissolved in 20% Sodium Chloride solution in a universal bottle and centrifuge at 1000rpm for 3 minutes. A wet preparation of the supernatant was put on a grease-free microscopic glass slide and observed under the microscope. The species of parasite were morphologically correlated with published works online by using Google search engine. The result was statistically analyzed using chi-square at significant difference of P≥ 0.05. The study showed that Oesophagomum (19.8%), Paramphistomum (5.94%), Bourgelatia (4.95%), Eimeria (2.97%), Trypanosoma spp (6.93%), Fasciola gigantica (9.90%), Fasciola hepatica (5.94%), Schistosoma spp (14.85%), Tetrahymena (6.93%) and Trichonympha (2.97%). In conclusion, male cow were more likely to be infected with gastrointestinal parasites than the female cows. Grazing fields should be kept free from contamination with fecal of cows.