Lungworms of Small Ruminants Slaughtered in Restaurants of Ambo, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The present study was conducted in Ambo town from November 2010 through April 2011 with the objectives to determine the prevalence, identifying the species of lungworms involved and assess possible risk factors of lungworms in small ruminants. For this purpose, lungs and fecal samples from a total of 502 small ruminants were examined for the presence of lungworms. The overall prevalence of lungworms in the study area was 27.1% in goats and 91.7% in sheep. Animal species, sex, body condition, age and months of the study period were identified as risk factors for the occurrence of lungworms. Statistically significant (P<0.05) difference was noticed in the prevalence of lungworms between species of animals, among different age groups, months of the year and between sexes of animal in sheep. However, statistically significant difference in the prevalence of lungworms was not observed among different body condition and between sexes of animals in goats. Dictyocaulus filaria (23.1%), Muellerius capillaris (15.15) and mixed infection were identified during this study. The monthly overall prevalence of lungworm infection was significantly (P<0.05) higher in April (60.5%) in goats and in November and February (100%) in sheep. Significantly higher prevalence of Dictyocaulus filaria (47.1%), Muellerius capillaris (58.8%) and mixed infection (29.4%) in goats was observed in animals above three years of age. The findings of the current study suggested that lungworm infection in and around Ambo is an important constraint that requires strong attention. Keywords : Ambo, Lungworms, small ruminants, prevalence Nigerian Veterinary Journal , VOL:33 (1) 387-394