Prevalence of Ectoparasite Infestations in Cattle in Damot Sore District, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was carried out from February, 2024 to July, 2024 with the objectives of determining the prevalence of major ectoparasites of cattle associated with risk factors and to assess the prevalence of ectoparasite infestation in cattle in Damot sore district, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 384 cattle (119 male and 265 female) were used to study the prevalence on live animals. The result obtained from live cattle demonstrates 52.3 % (201/384) of cattle were infested with one (12.4%) and more (39.9%) ectoparasites. Overall, eight genera of ectoparasites which belong to tick (47.7%), lice (4.4%) and mite (0.3%), were identified. Among the genera of the ticks Amblyomma (24.7%), Boophilus (12.8%), Hayalomma and Rhipicephalus (1%), respectively. Out of ticks the most prevalent genus was Amblyomma with a prevalence of 24.7% followed by genus Boophilus with a prevalence of 12.8% and finally genus Hayalomma and Rhipicephalus with a prevalence of 1.0 %, respectively. Statistically, significant variation (P<0.05) was observed in the prevalence of tick infestation on cattle of different age, sex and herd size groups. Among the genera of lice, the prevalence was mixed lice infestation such as Haematopinus, Linognathus and Damalina (4.4%) were identified. Significant variation (P<0.05) was observed in the prevalence of lice infestation of cattle among the age groups of the study animals. Demodex bovis (0.3%) was the only mite species recorded in this study. There was no statistical difference (P>0.05) between the prevalence of mange mite infestation with regard to age, sex and herd size variation. The overall infestation with ectoparasites was high in the females (53.58%) than males (49.57%). The present study revealed that the prevalence of ectoparasites in cattle in the study area and the major ectoparasites identified were tick, lice and mange mite, thus, improved management practice and wellcoordinated control interventions are required.

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Corresponding author: Ejigu Hizikel*

Full Length Article: Prevalence of Ectoparasite Infestations in Cattle inDamot Sore District, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Journal: Austin Journal of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry

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