A Review on Gastrointestinal Nematodesin Small Ruminants

Abstract

Small ruminants are important source of income for agricultural community and are one of Ethiopia’s major sources of foreign currency through exportation of live animals, meat and skin. Internal parasites are an important cause of disease and lose of production in small ruminants. Gastrointestinal nematodes are recognized as a major constraint to both small and large-scale small ruminant production in developing countries. These could be harmful to the health of infected animals in different regions and causes economic losses due to mortalities, reduce weight gain and other production losses. The gastrointestinal nematode parasites are found livestock health problems including for small ruminants and are responsible for economic losses due to reduced production, morbidity and mortality. Therefore, Strategic treatment of small ruminants with anthelmintic, parasitic control and prevention should be practiced in the study area to minimize the impact of gastrointestinal nematodes on the health of animals.