Prevalence and Pathogenic Significance of Trypanosomosis on Sheep and Goats of Mareka District, Dawro Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Bedaso Kebede, Seifu Hailu and

Abstract

The study was conducted from November 2009 to April 2010 in and around Mareka District of Dawro Zone in Southern Ethiopia to determine prevalence and effect of trypanosomosis in sheep and goats. A total of 400 animals (222 sheep and 178 goats) were randomly sampled for Buffy coat and stained this blood smear analysis. Thirty two (8%) small ruminants were found positive for trypanosome infection constituting 93.75% T. Congolese, 6.25% T. vivax. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in infection rates between the two species of hosts and between two different age groups (<2 years and ≥ 2 years). However, male animals were less susceptible the females. Mean PCV value of parasitemic animals was significantly lower than that of aparasitaemic animals. The final result of this findings revealed that trypanosomosis in sheep and goat is important disease in the study area of Dawro Zone.

Relevant Publications in Journal of Animal Sciences and Livestock Production