Abstract
WWhole blood, faecal and bile samples were collected from three breeds of 160 cattle of both sexes slaughtered at the Bodija Ibadan abattoir between the months of December 2014 and October 2015, spanning two seasons. The study was aimed at investigating haematologic profile, seasonal, breed and sex prevalence of ruminant nematodes, fasciolosis and dicrocoelosis among the cattle sampled. The haematologic profile was determined using pocH-100iV DiffR (Haematology System, Sysmex Animal Health Germany). Modified McMaster slide technique was used to quantify the nematodes. The contents of the gall bladders were examined for the presence of the eggs of Fasciola and Dicroceolium species using sedimentation technique. Data obtained from the study was statistically analyzed using Chi-square test and Student’s t-test. The overall prevalence of the gastrointestinal nematodes (GI) was 31.88% while the mean egg per gram of faeces (EPG) count was 440.91±387.19. Prevalence of GI nematodes during the dry season was 28.21% while during the wet season it was 35.37%. There was a significant association (χ2 =7.12, P<0.05) between sex and nematode infection in cows Prevalence of eggs of Dicroceolium hospes and Fasciola gigantica in bile was 55.63% and 16.88% respectively. There was also a significant association (χ2 =8.05 P<0.05) between season and D.hospes in all the cattle breeds. Prevalence of D.hospes and F. gigantica in bulls was 54.69% and 10.94% respectively while in cows prevalence of D.hospes and F. gigantica was 56.25% and 20.83% respectively. Red Bororo cattle appeared to be most susceptible to all the hemniths followed by Sokoto Gudali and White Fulani cattle were least affected. GI hemniths were found to be associated with anaemia. Livestock farmers are advised to select for White Fulani breed of cattle and deworm their stock at the end of the rainy season.

Key words: Gastrointestinal nematodes, Fasciola gigantica, Dicroceolium hospes, cattle breeds