Prevalence of Equine Diseases in the Northern Guinea Savannah of Zaria, Nigeria

There is no documentation on the diseases of horses in Zaria, Nigeria. A study was therefore conducted at the Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (ABUVTH), Zaria, Nigeria to properly document the diseases of horses in the Northern Guinea Savannah of Zaria, Nigeria. The most common disease encountered was helminthosis, accounting for 809 (82.3%) of all the diseases diagnosed. Tetanus and rabies, which were also diagnosed in horses in this study have long been recognised as major zoonoses. The public health significance of these diseases in Zaria, Nigeria is discussed. It is concluded that research should be conducted to develop parasite vaccines from parasite strains native to Zaria, Nigeria to ameliorate parasitic diseases of horses in this area.