Tick resistance of two breeds of cattle in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate total tick burden and resistance differences of local indigenous breeds and Holstein-crosses (50%). Longitudinal study method was employed to assess the mean monthly half-body regions of total tick burdens. The mean monthly half body regions of total tick count on local indigenous cattle and Holstein-crosses (50%) were 75.2 and 201.7, respectively. The monthly mean half-body region of total tick count on the Holstein-crosses (50%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the indigenous breed throughout the study months. From 4425 collected adult ticks, Boophilus decoloratus (47.50%), Amblyomma gemma (21.06%), Amblyomma variegatum (18.31%), Amblyomma cohaerens (4.97%), Amblyomma lepidum (3.75%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (2.87%), Rhipicephalus muhsamae (0.79%) and Rhipicephalus guilhoni (0.75%) were the tick species identified in descending order. Among the tick species identified, seasonal variation was observed in four species, namely: A. variegatum, A. gemma, A. lepidum and R. evertsi evertsi. Animal health extension especially on tick control strategy should be in place in order to improve animal productivity.

Participatory and Conventional Investigation of Tick Infestation in Camels and Cattle of Somali Pastoral Areas, Eastern Ethiopia

“…The current study revealed a high prevalence of ticks among camels and cattle in the study area, with an overall prevalence of 85.1%. This is consistent with the previous studies conducted in Ethiopia [ 26 , 27 ]. A total of 85.1% of camels and 85.1% of cattle in the study area were infested with ticks.…”

“…The results of this study revealed that among all the species, female ticks were more abundant than males, except for A. gemma and A. lepidium . This finding is consistent with [ 26 , 33 ], who conducted similar studies on different domestic animals. The higher number of female ticks found in animals can be attributed to their increased need for blood to produce eggs and their longer lifespan relative to male ticks, resulting in prolonged attachment periods.…”

“…In contrast, no significant variation in the prevalence of tick infestation was observed between the different areas of sampling (PAs). This observation is in line with the results reported by [ 32 ] for camels and [ 26 ] for cattle but appears to contradict the findings of [ 38 ] in the Jigjiga Zone, which suggested that tick infestation rates were influenced by the animals' living environment. Temperature and relative humidity are crucial ecological factors that influence the distribution and abundance of ticks in a given environment [ 39 ].…”

Quality of veterinary anthelmintic drugs marketed in Gondar Zones, North West Ethiopia; presence of poor-quality medicines

“…The Authority monitors possible access and entry points for veterinary medicines and animal feeds to the country. However, low-quality medications may be imported and distributed [ 13 ]. Professionals and animal owners alike have expressed concerns about the efficacy of currently available medications [ 14 ].…”