Epidemiological study on ectoparasite infestation of small ruminants in Sodo Zuria District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate magnitude of small ruminant ectoparasite infestation in Sodo Zuria district from November, 2013 to March, 2014. Out of the total 758 small ruminants, 51.5% sheep and 48.9 % goats were found infected with ectoprasite infestation (p=0.471). Standard identification of 383 ectoprasite specimens demonstrated ticks (34.6%), lice (7.1%), fleas (6.1%) and mange mites (2.8%). Tick and flea infestation were predominant in sheep (p<0.01) whereas mange mite infestations was more common in goats (p < 0.01). The tick species observed, in order of importance, were Ripicephalus evertsi eversti, Amblyoma variegatum, Boophilus decoloratus, Amblyoma coherences and Ripicephalus pulchellus (exclusive to sheep). The flea species observed were Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis. Regarding mange mites, Sarcoptus scabie was more frequent and affected both sheep and goats whereas Demodex caprea was found only in goats. Among lice species identified, Linognatus ovilluis and Damalina ovis were higher in sheep whereas Linognatus stenopsis was more common in goats (p<0.05). Generally, female animals were affected by ectoparasites more frequently (56 %) than males (44.4%) (p=0.001). Small ruminants older than one year (53.8%) were affected more frequently than younger animals (45.8%) (p=0.029). Ectoparasite infestation was more frequent in animals with poor body condition (59%) than those having medium (41.9%) and good (43.6%) body condition (p=0.000). Small ruminant flocks in Sodo Zuria district were widely affected by ectoparasite infestation which leads to substantial morbidity. Effort to raise awareness of farm households and improve control services is recommended.

Ectoparasites of Sheep (Ovis aries L.) and Goats (Capra hirus L.) in Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria

“…The occurrence of more infestations in females than in males agrees with the findings of Neog et al (1992), Chakrabarti (1994), Jonsson (2004), Yakhchali and Hossiene (2006), Mbuh et al (2008), Barmon et al (2010); Obi et al (2014) and Yishak et al (2015). Lloyd (1983) reported that higher level of prolactin and progesterone makes females more susceptible to infestation as a result of pregnancy and lactation.…”

“…This concurs with the findings of Osman (1997), Yakhchali and Hossiene (2006), Onojafe (2008), Mbuh et al (2008), Mulugeta et al (2010), Ohaeri and Ugwu (2013) and Yishak et al (2015) but contrary to Obi et al (2014), who reported fleas to be the dominant ectoparasites in both sheep and goats. Elsaid et al (2013) reported ticks as the most frequent ectoparasites in sheep and fleas as the most ectoparasites in goats.…”

“…This is in agreement with the reports of Barmon et al (2010), Amuamata et al (2012) and Yishak et al (2015) but contrary to Yakhchali and Hossiene (2006), Onojafe (2008), Mulugeta et al (2010) and Obi et al (2014) who reported goats to be more infested than sheep. According to Amuamata et al (2012) and Yishak et al (2015), the higher prevalence of ectoparasites in sheep than in goats could be attributed to the better body habit of self grooming, licking, scratching, rubbing and grazing behavior in goats, which could contribute to rapid ectoparasites elimination. Although, sheep were more infested than goats in terms of prevalence, goats had more ectoparasite species on them than sheep.…”

“…The clinical examination for the detection of ectoparasites was performed by multiple fleeces parting in the direction opposite to that in which hair or wool normally rests and visual inspection and palpation of the skin for ectoparasites on all parts of the body of the animal (Yishak et al, 2015). Animals were inspected and screened by the use of a hand magnifying lens.…”

“…Lambs and kids which were less than or equal to one year of age were considered as young and animals which were more than one year of age were considered as adults (Yishak et al, 2015).…”