Association of Hard Ticks (Ixodidae) Infestation with Milk Production and Udder Health of Extensively Reared Dairy Goats

Abstract

Extensively reared ruminants are seasonally exposed to ticks. Tick-related production losses and health issues have been well documented in cows and sheep but not in goats where relevant literature is scarce. The objective here was to investigate the association of hard tick infestation with milk production and udder health of dairy goats reared extensively. A cross-sectional study was carried out during May and June, in two dairy goat farms. The farms were located in Central and Northern Greece and were representative of typical extensive production systems. A total of 304 goats (n = 152 from each farm) were randomly selected. Each goat was examined for presence of hard ticks. Daily milk yield and quality characteristics were recorded. Udder health status was determined by milk somatic cell count (SCC) and total viable count (TVC). Tick infestation prevalence was 28.6%; it was associated with a significant (p < 0.001) increase in SCC and TVC (84.0% and 78.6%, respectively). The latter meant that infested goats were 3.7 times more prone to udder health problems (p < 0.001). There were not any significant effects (p > 0.05) on milk production. Overall, results suggest that control of tick infestation in extensively reared dairy goat herds is important for enhancing health and welfare status.

Repeatability of Health and Welfare Traits and Correlation with Performance Traits in Dairy Goats Reared under Low-Input Farming Systems

“…However, this would require the collection of accurate pedigree data. As previously indicated, in low-input pastoral farming systems, pedigree recording is hindered by poor infrastructure, uncontrolled natural mating, and absence of artificial insemination [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. Moreover, farmers are not well informed of the benefits of genetic improvement and reluctant to invest time and resources in record keeping [20].…”

“…We also defined an overall endoparasite infection index, where at least one of these parasites was detected. Moreover, the presence of at least 10 ticks attached to the body of goats was considered as tick infestation [6,33]. A myiasis case was defined by the presence of at least two warbles beneath the skin on the back of the animal.…”

“…Grazing at natural pastures favours internal and external parasitism, which affects goat health and welfare status [4][5][6]. Moreover, traditional goat shelters are frequently characterised by high stocking density, inadequate bedding, and poor hygiene, which predispose animals to bacterial infections, particularly subclinical mastitis, with a cumulative incidence of 24-32% recently reported in low-input pastoral farming systems [7].…”

Isolation and Determination of Antibacterial Sensitivity Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus from Lactating Cows in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

“…In line with the current findings, Gebremedhin et al [ 37 ] found a direct correlation between tick infestation and the prevalence rate of S. aureus in milk samples, as well as an inverse correlation between teat washing before milking and the isolation rate of S. aureus . Vouraki et al [ 38 ] also reviewed that there have been reports of S. aureus isolation from Rhipicephalus spp. tick.…”