Ectoparasites of small ruminants in and around Kombolcha, northeastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Infestation of small ruminants by ectoparasites such as ticks, mites, lice and fleas could lead to considerable economic loss due to morbidity, mortality and skin rejection. A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of ectoparasites of small ruminants and to identify different ectoparasite fauna in and around Kombolcha, northeastern Ethiopia. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to generate preliminary data. The study also employed clinical examination and laboratory identification of different ectoparasites into genera and species level. A total of 350 small ruminants (147 sheep and 203 goats) were sampled and examined for prevalence of ectoparasites. The result of the questionnaire survey indicated that sheep and goats were the main species of animals raised by the farmers. The overall prevalence of ectoparasites were 25.7% (90/350), in which 25.9% (38/147) and 25.6% (52/203) prevalence were recorded in sheep and goats, respectively. The proportion of ectoparasites include: lice (11.7%), ticks (7.4%), mites (4.0%) and fleas (2.6%) in descending order. A. variegatum, R. evertsi, S. caprae, D. caprae, L. africanus, D. caprae, S. ovis and C. canis were identified at species level. There was no statistically significant association (p>0.05) between the prevalence of ectoparasites and the species, sex, age and body condition except Rhipicephalus decoloratus which was significantly higher in sheep with poor body condition. The study revealed ectoparasites to be one of the main constraints to small ruminant production in the area and hence warrants further strategic intervention.

The prevalence and potential factors associated with ecto-parasitic infestations in Black Bengal Goats in Mymensingh, Bangladesh

“…Moreover, ectoparasites have zoonotic importance and are proficient in transmitting various disease pathogens due to their blood sucking behavior and predispose the animal to infection by other pathogenic organisms (Ofukwu et al, 2008;Kebede, 2013;Tolossa, 2014). In severe cases, death may occur of the infested animals with the consequent socioeconomic implications (Ofukwu et al, 2008;Beyecha et al, 2014;Wondimu et al, 2018).The occurrence and spread of these problems had been shown to correlate with host factors, poor management, climatic factors, feed scarcity and inadequate veterinary services (Seid et al, 2018). Ticks are the most important ectoparasites of domestic animals and act as a vector of many deadly bacterial, viral, protozoal and rickettsial diseases (Wang et al, 2000;Sonenshine et al, 2002).…”

First record of Damalinia caprae (Gurlt, 1843) and Linognathus africanus (Kelogg and Paine, 1911) (Insecta: Phthiraptera) in small ruminants from Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero, Mexico

“…This study reports for the fi rst time the lice species of goat and sheep in Guerrero State. Several reports around the world [19][20][21][22][23][24], have documented the presence of D. ovis and L. africanus parasitizing goats and sheep. The presence of chewing and sucking lice as mixed infestations is very common.…”