Tanzania Veterinary Journal

Prevalence, Control Strategies, and Risk Factors of Major Metacestode Infections in Small Ruminants Across Sub-Saharan Africa

2026-04-14T03:28:39-04:00

The increasing demand for goat and sheep production in sub-Saharan Africa, due to their resilience to climatic conditions, is hindered by several factors, including metacestode infections. Despite control efforts targeting zoonotic parasitic diseases by international organisations, including the World Health Organisation, cultural practices and the close association between small ruminants and dogs in pastoral communities continue to facilitate transmission. This systematic review assessed the prevalence, control measures, and risk factors of major metacestode infections in goats and sheep across sub-Saharan Africa. A comprehensive search in PubMed, Google Scholar, and AJOL identified 29 relevant studies out of 10,040 publications, revealing significant gaps in reporting. The median (IQR) prevalence of metacestodes in small ruminants has been indicated to be higher with Cysticercus tenuicollis at 46.05% (34.52; 13.03–66.00%) followed by, in descending order; Cysticercus ovis (16.25; 8.49%- 24%) hydatid cysts (12.13%; 11.26%; 2.20–66.50%) and Coenurus cerebralis (8.3%; 24.26%; range: 3.80–44.45%). Moreover, the maximum and minimum prevalence of metacestodes in small ruminants have been recorded for hydatid cysts at 66.5% and 2.2%, respectively. Control strategies recommended in the reviewed studies include improved livestock management, hygiene, and reducing stray dog populations to disrupt the transmission cycle. The high prevalence underscores the critical impact of these infections on small ruminant productivity in the region.

Indigenous Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on Plant Use for Animal Disease Management: Ethnobotanical Survey in Kongwa District

2026-04-14T04:44:56-04:00

To complement modern veterinary drugs in addressing the growing burden of livestock diseases, exploring alternative treatments such as medicinal plants is increasingly important. This study, conducted in Kongwa District, examined farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the use of medicinal plants to treat the infectious parasites of animals, with more emphasis on pigs. Randomly selected wards, villages, and streets were included, and face-to-face interviews were carried out with livestock owners using structured questionnaires. Plant identification was done with PlantNet software and verified by a botanist from the Department of Botany at Sokoine University of Agriculture. Findings showed that most respondents were aware of medicinal plant use for livestock treatment, receiving information mainly from family members, neighbors, and online sources. Many participants rated the effectiveness of medicinal plants as moderate to highly effective, though a few viewed them as less effective or ineffective. Several plants were documented for anthelmintic purposes, notably Azadirachta indica (roots and leaves), Cassia abbreviata (roots and stem bark), and Albizia anthelmintica (roots and stem bark). Plants used for managing ectoparasites includes Ocimum americanum, scattered or burned to repel pests; Capsicum annuum fruits burned to produce flea-repelling smoke; and Albizia lebbeck, whose root or stem bark was crushed in water to control ticks. Thus, it was observed that Kongwa District in Tanzania retains rich indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants’ use for managing animal diseases. Many farmers demonstrated awareness, positive attitudes, and continued practical use of these plant-based

Ethnoveterinary Practices of Medicinal Plants in Management of Worms and Ectoparasites in Livestock in Karatu District, Tanzania

2026-04-14T05:02:10-04:00

Livestock production plays a critical role in supporting rural livelihoods across Tanzania. However, the sector faces constraints due to high disease prevalence and limited access to veterinary services, which are often costly. Thus, many smallholder farmers rely on ethnoveterinary practices. This study surveyed agropastoral households in Karatu District to explore their knowledge, attitudes, and use of medicinal plants for animal health management. A cross-sectional study was conducted, where 145 agropastoral households were purposively selected based on livestock population size. The households encompassed a diverse age range of 15 to 80 years, with male respondents predominating (69.7%), and were primarily engaged in cattle, small ruminants, pigs, and poultry production. Most respondents (81.4%) had over 11 years of experience in livestock farming, and over 90% of them had attained only primary education. Respondents identified symptoms indicative of several livestock diseases, including Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (54.5%) in cattle, mange mites and worm infestations in pigs (35.2%) and worms in small ruminants (17.9%), and Newcastle disease (8.3%) in poultry. More than half of the respondents were aware of the presence of medicinal plants, which were mainly used when conventional drugs were unavailable (24.1%), costly (30.3%), or perceived as ineffective (19.3%). Most respondents (57.9%) perceived use of medicinal plants as effective and 64.1% viewed them as comparable to conventional treatments. The key plants used by the majority of respondents for parasite control was Croton macrostachyus. The study highlights that of ethnoveterinary knowledge remains a valuable alternative for livestock health management, while also emphasizing its vulnerability to erosion due to reliance on oral transmission.

Supplementation of Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) on Crossbred Growing Goats: Effects on Carcass, Meat Quality and Hematological Parameters

2026-04-22T03:07:08-04:00

The increasing demand for animal protein necessitates adequate feed supply to support higher production per animal. This study evaluated the effects of palm kernel cake (PKC) supplementation on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and hematological parameters in goats. Eighteen (18) crossbred (Saanen × Local) growing goats (5 months old, 12±2 kg) were assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, receiving 0%, 30%, or 50% PKC for 8 weeks. Feed was provided at 3% of body weight daily. Daily feed intake and body weight were recorded, and carcass and meat quality traits were assessed after slaughtering four goats per treatment group. Blood samples for hematological analysis were taken every two weeks. Goats receiving 30% PKC exhibited significantly higher feed intake and weight gain. No significant improvements were noted at the 50% level. The T2 group (30% PKC) recorded the most efficient feed conversion ratio (0.149), followed by T3 (0.192) and T1 (0.380). Carcass weight, meat tenderness, and pH did not differ significantly among groups. Meat color parameters in the semitendinosus muscle showed no significant differences; however, in the biceps femoris, the L* score was significantly higher in T3. Hematological and biochemical indices remained within normal physiological ranges, indicating no adverse effects.

Health challenges, mortality patterns, and factors affecting survivability of indigenous and crossbred goat strains managed on station in the central zone of Tanzania

2026-04-27T05:31:09-04:00

The study was designed to assess health challenges, mortality patterns, and factors influencing the survivability of Gogo white × Boer crossbred and pure Gogo white goats raised on the station at the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI), Kongwa, Dodoma, Tanzania. Secondary data on mortality, diseases, and causes of goat mortality were collected spanning 10 years (2011–2021). A total of 658 goats (312 males and 346 females) were included in the study, comprising 452 Gogo white × Boer crosses and 206 pure Gogo white goats. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. The results revealed that the main cause of death was pneumonia (24.0%), followed by diarrhea (15.3%), poor nutrition (14.7%), and predation (13.3%). The overall average mortality rate for the entire study period was 22.80%. Additionally, the results showed that season significantly affected survivability, whereby kids born during the dry season had markedly reduced survivability by 3.78 folds at 95% CI of 2.54–5.62 compared to those born during wet season. Moreover, the year of birth significantly influenced survivability by 3.278-fold at 95% CI of 2.18-4.93. The study identified pneumonia, diarrhea, poor nutrition, and predation as the primary causes of mortality at TALIRI Kongwa. Crossbred goats (Gogo × Boer) were found to be more vulnerable to death compared to the local Gogo white breed. Furthermore, survivability was significantly affected by birth type (single or twin), season, and year of birth. The study recommends that improved management practices and better healthcare services should be addressed to reduce mortality rates and enhance the economic viability of goat production at the TALIRI Kongwa farm