Moniezia infection in the dwarf breeds of small ruminants in Southern Nigeria

A survey of Moniezia infection was conducted among two groups of sheep and goats, of dwarf breeds, in Nigeria: a. those being reared under a traditional, extensive husbandry system in groups of rural villages situated in two different ecological zones; and

b. those reared under an intensive system on experimental stations in two ecological zones of Nigeria.

Moniezia expansa was the predominant species encountered in the animals. The incidence of Moniezia infection was higher in sheep than in goats. The highest infection rates were found in kids and lambs younger than eight months old.

The clinical significance of the infection and some of the highlights of the results are discussed. It is concluded that Moniezia infection in small ruminants can pose a problem deserving of more attention and a suggestion is made for studies on the bionomics of the mite forming the intermediate host in Nigeria.