A study was carried out on the Opkara (Benin) cattle farm on 64 cattle of four different breeds (16 individuals per breed) from June to December 2016. During this study, three tick species were found in different numbers, Amblyomma variegatum (732), Rhipicephalus microplus (8079), and Hyalomma spp. (208), with parasitic intensity of 11.90, 126.23, and 3.25, respectively. The interracial comparison of the tick infestation between the cattle showed a significant difference (P < 0.001). However, Girolando was more infested than all the cattle breeds. Infestation of A. variegatum, R. microplus, and Hyalomma spp. on the Girolando was, respectively, 19.43 ± 2.71, 171.25 ± 23.50, and 7.12 ± 0.63, but the Borgou were less infested. Borgou breed females were more infested by A. variegatum (4.41 ± 1.14) than females Girolando (4.20 ± 0.90). The Crossbred and Azawak females were less infested (P < 0.01). The mean of A. variegatum on Borgou, Azawak, Crossbred, and Girolando calves was 1.29 ± 0.35, 0.66 ± 0.26, 1.37 ± 0.37, and 2.25 ± 0.48 (P < 0.01), respectively. The results of this study can be exploited to include genetic and nongenetic approaches to tick control.
| The tick Rhipicephalus microplus is an external parasite of livestock that is present in tropical and subtropical regions. It causes significant economic losses to cattle breeder directly through its destructive actions and indirectly by transmission of pathogens to livestock. In this study, we assessed the impact of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks on animal performance and identify control measures. Breeders were surveyed in Mono, Zou and Borgou departments with a rate of 60%, 63% and 67% of Peulhs on the total population of breeders'. The effect of ticks on milk production was influential in the department of Borgou where 65% of the breeders estimated that the decrease in milk production was linked to animal infestation by ticks against 46% and 41.10% respectively in the departments of Mono and Zou. A similar pattern was observed concerning the decrease in the live weight of the animals 63.75%, 58% and 45.21 %, respectively. In breeding farms, two types of products are adopted: traditional products and chemicals that are use against the ticks. As they are looking for efficient, accessible and less costly means, breeders use traditional products of control such as red oil, red oil mix with salt, black soap, seawater, plant, bush fire and also manual dipping. Chemical products used are essentially pyrethroids, amidine and phenylpyrazoles. The assessments of current study highlight that for most breeders ticks display negative impacts on livestock productivity and the current way to control are not efficient. It is important to put in place a better tick control strategy.
Background and Aim: Dermatophilosis is a bacterial infection of the skin of animals. It is prevalent worldwide and is caused by Dermatophilus congolensis. The study aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of different mixtures prepared with indigenous phytogenetic extracts from Benin in the management and treatment of Girolando cattle that showed high sensitivity to the disease compared to any other known cattle breed in Benin.
Materials and Methods: Consequently, two types of extract mixtures (extract mixture 1=Elaeis guineensis kernel oil + essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum + sap of Jatropha multifidi; extract mixture 2= O. gratissimum + sap extract of J. multifida) of 20% concentration were prepared and tested on eight Girolando cattle. Two different parts of the affected skin with acute lesions of dermatophilosis were debrided, and 0.5 mL of each of the extract mixture was applied per square centimeter of a single zone of the affected skin.
Results: Both extracts mixtures were found to possess significant wound healing properties compared to the control (procaine G penicillin). However, the extract mixture 1, which was made up of Elaeis guineensis kernel oil, essential oil of O. gratissimum and sap of J. multifida (Linn), showed a better result. This was evident by increase in the rate of wound contraction and healing without recurrence 2 weeks after the end of the experiment and the subsequent immediate manifestation of hair or hair growth at the affected area.
Conclusion: The preliminary findings of this study are very promising. Extract mixture 1 could serve as an alternative in the treatment or management of bovine dermatophilosis in Benin and other dermatophilosis endemic areas of the world. However, in vitro testing and sensitivity against isolated D. congolensis organism using extract mixture 1 as well as cost implications should be studied.
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