Anthelmintic Resistance Of Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection In Naturally Infected West African Dwarf Goat Within Ikwuano L.G.A. Abia State:- Anyanwu, Chinemerem F

ABSTRACT viii West African Dwarf (WAD) goat is the most indigenous breed ofgoat in south-East Nigeiia. Goats are important in subsistence agriculture on account oftheir unique ability to adapt and maintain themselves under harsh environmental conditions. They serve as source ofincome to marginalfarmers and promote crop production by supplying manure and raw material to agroallied industry. Meat and milkfrom goat are highly nutritional with low level ofsaturatedfatty acid and cholesterol. Goat and sheep production in Nigeria has faced a major constraint resulting from intestinal parasitic infection which has caused morbidity, mortality, cost of treatment and control measures, and huge economic losses. Anthelminthic treatment has been the most adopted means of treating and controlling gastrointestinal parasitism. Because oj indiscriminate use of anthelminthic, drug resistance to anthelminthic by gastrointestinal nematode has developed all over the world. Sixty (60) animals were used for the study. They were randomly assigned into three treatment groups (Group A, Ivermectin; Group B, Levamisole; Group C, Fenbendazole). Group A had 20 WAD goats, 11 were Young (male = 5, female = 6), and 9 were Adult (male = 2, female = 7). Group B had 21 WAD goats, 9 were young (male=2, female= 7) 12 were Adult (male = 5, female = 7). Group C had 19 WAD goats, 8 were young (male=4, female= 4) 11 were Adult (male = 5, female - 6). Fecalflotation technique was used to carry out the study. 3g offaecal sample was measured out and washed, the solution was poured into a beaker and allowed to sediment, once settled the supernatant was decanted leaving the residue which was then poured in a test tube, a saturated solution ofNaCl was poured the test tube containing the supernatant, so that a dome ofliquid (a meniscus) rises above the brim ofthe tube and a cover slip was placed on the brim ofthe tube and carefully removed by picking it vertically and placed on a microscope slide which was examined under the light microscope for the detection of nematode egg. Resistance was recorded in all the anthelminthic used. Ivermectin recorded 34% (88.71 ± 20.36) in male and 32% (137.85 ± 34.73) in female respectively and 37 %( 75.55 ± 7.22) in young and 30°% (175.78 ±47.31) in adult respectively. There was no significant difference (>0.05) with regard to age and sex ofthe experimental WAD goat. Levamisole recorded 38% (73.43 ± 7.31) in male and 35% (115.71 ± 26.00) in female respectively, and 40%> (76.78 ± 4.39) and 34%> (120.25 ± 30.46) in young and adult respectively. Fenbendazole recorded 42%> (77.56 ± 10.96) in male and 49%> (66.10 ± 12 82) in female respectively, and 43% (74.13 ± 16.86) and 48% (69.64 ± 8.56) in young and adult respectively. In conclusion, since gastrointestinal parasitism has become a major challenge to livestock production and anthelminthic treatment has its own challenges. In order to ameliorate this problem, there should be veterinary involvement in handling prescription ofdrugs. Also public education on proper administration ofdrugs as well as risk ofabuse ofdrugs.