Introduction

A parasite is any organism that lives inside or outside a host of an animal causing harm to it. The host is usually bigger and stronger than the parasites. The host may suffer some injury or death. Some parasites that cause disease do so by the means of a vector.

Parasites are grouped into two namely;

(a)       Ecto-parasites (External Parasites): These parasites, live outside the body of their hosts. Examples: Ticks, Lice, and Mites. Ticks are common in cattle, sheep, goats and dogs, lice and mites, and common in poultry. Ticks, lice, and mites are not insects.

(b)       Endo-Parasites (Internal Parasites): These parasites live inside the body of their hosts. Examples: roundworms, tapeworms, trypanosomiasis, and liver fluke.