Livestock Research for Rural Development 21 (12) 2009 Guide for preparation of papers LRRD News Citation of this paper Ethno-veterinary medicine used in small ruminant health in the Eastern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria J M Chah, E M Igbokwe* and K F Chah Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka * Department of Agricultural Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka jmchah@yahoo.co.uk Abstract A survey of household heads engaged in small ruminant production was conducted in Benue North and Nsukka Agricultural Zones of Benue and Enugu States respectively, to document indigenous knowledge of plants used for small ruminant health management. A total of 100 smallholder farmers were interviewed on the status of animal health care delivery in the area. Information on common livestock ailments that had been treated by traditional means and the medicinal plants used, their preparation, application and expected results were obtained. About 75.0% of the farmers owned 6-10 animals most of which were confined in wooden/thatch pens. Male heads and male members of each household were responsible for disease management in the study area. A field manual of traditional veterinary treatments of 17 diseases in small ruminants was compiled. A total of 12 plant species were identified for the treatment of the diseases. Other traditional/indigenous methods employed in the treatment of small ruminant diseases included: kerosene plus oil and oil plus salt to mention but only two. Some herbs had multiple medicinal uses while others were effective as mixtures. Different herbal treatments/indigenous methods were often cited for the same disease, with varying dosages and methods of administration. Standardization and validation of traditional knowledge is necessary to fully integrate ethnoveterinary medicine into orthodox veterinary medicine. It is also recommended that male members of the household should be targeted for any extension programme aimed at improving small ruminant health. Also scientific investigation should be made to ascertain the effectiveness of plants identified and indigenous methods in the treatment of small ruminant diseases. Key words: indigenous methods, Nigeria, small ruminant diseases Introduction Small ruminants (sheep and goats) are important domestic animals in tropical livestock systems. They enjoy a wider distribution and greater flock dynamism than other livestock species within Africa. In Nigeria, they are embedded in the social and ceremonial life to an extent unequalled by other animal species (FDLPCS 1992). The ownership of these small ruminants is regarded as an investment. These animals constitute a major source of animal protein in Nigeria; for example goat meat being estimated to account for about 20% of all meat consumed in the country (Brimkmann and Adu 1977). In Nigeria, management of small ruminants is largely in traditional hands (Nduaka and Ihemelandu 1973; Ajala 1995). In the southern guinea savanna region of Nigeria like in many parts of the country, small ruminant production and productivity is impeded by various constraints which include health. This constraint can adequately be alleviated or curtailed by modern or western-style technologies such as vaccination, chemoprophylaxis/chemotherapy, feeding animals with formulated rations and proper housing. Small ruminants in the study area are largely in the hands of rural farmers. Since these farmers are mostly located in the rural areas, they are scarcely aware of veterinary and improved management services. In some cases, many of those who are aware of the services cannot afford to pay for them because they are expensive. However, the rural small ruminant farmers have developed indigenous methods or technologies for coping with the constraints. Among the various indigenous methods is the use of herbs to manage animal diseases. The knowledge base of these herbs differs not only from region to region but also within communities. It has been developed through trial and error and deliberate experimentation. Therefore, it is less systematic, less formalized, and not universally recognized as a valid method of disease control in animals (Matekaire and Bwakura 2004). In many countries, there has been little documentation of traditional knowledge; rather, it has been transmitted across generations by an oral tradition and therefore is in danger of extinction (Matekaire and Bwakura 2004). While small ruminant farmers have less to offer in the treatment and control of some diseases e.g. acute life threatening bacterial diseases, they can cope with a reasonable spectrum of common disease conditions such as diarrhea, wounds, colds, worms, and reproductive disorders etc (Matekaire and Bwakura,2004). Small ruminant owners have an excellent knowledge of ethnobotany, which has formed the basis for screening plant materials as potential sources of medicinal drugs (Spore 1992). The herders of the Turkana and Samburu communities in Kenya identified about 60 diseases of livestock and grouped them as treatable and non-treatable using local remedies. Approximately 35 of these diseases were treatable, including streptothricosis, mange, cough, and diarhoea (Wanyama 1997). Scientific research and experiments by farmers in Trinidad and Tobago found that adding preparations from plants such as Mormodica charanta to drinking water improves the productivity and profitability of broilers. Paw-paw latex (Cicaria papaya) has been used successfully as an anthelmintic drug in goats (Satrija et al 1995). Ethno-veterinary medicine used in small ruminant health in the Eastern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria file:///C:/Documents and Settings/Jean/Bureau/VC 21.htm 1 sur 8 22/03/2014 21:59