Occurrence of Coenurosis (Gid) in Small Ruminants Slaughtered in Sokoto, North West Nigeria

Coenurosis, commonly known as gid, is a parasitic disease of small ruminants caused by larvae of Taenia multiceps, a tapeworm of dogs and other canids. The condition causes progressive neurological deterioration and is frequently encountered in sheep herds maintained by pastoral Fulani communities in Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone. This survey investigated the occurrence and associated pathological changes of coenurosis in small ruminants slaughtered at Sokoto State Government Abattoir from January to June 2023. A total of 260 sheep and goats were examined post-mortem, with particular attention to the cranial cavity and vertebral canal. Affected brains were documented, measured, and sampled for histopathological analysis. The overall prevalence of coenurosis was 6.5 percent, with sheep more frequently affected than goats. Gross examination revealed fluid-filled, translucent cysts of varying sizes within the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, or spinal cord. Cysts contained multiple scolices visible as white opaque spots on the cyst wall. Histopathologically, brain parenchyma adjacent to cysts showed reactive gliosis, compression atrophy, and focal mononuclear inflammatory infiltration. The proximity of dogs to small ruminant flocks was identified as the primary transmission risk factor. Recommendations include regular anthelmintic treatment of dogs, reduction of carcass contamination accessible to dogs, and health education of pastoralists. Keywords: coenurosis, Taenia multiceps, sheep, goats, neurological disease