INFESTATION OF TICKS ON THE HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDERS OF TRADE CATTLE

ABSTRACT

Cattle rearing are beneficial to our nation as it is a vital source of meat, milk and other dairy products. However, there are challenges which are imposed by different factors and one of these factors is the infestation of cattle by ectoparasites most especially ticks. This study was conducted to investigate the species composition, abundance of tick species in the head, neck and shoulder of cattle and to determine the prevalence and mean intensity of these species on the various regions of the cattle in the cattle market at Federal road, in Egor Local Government Area in Edo state. A total of 30 cattle were examined thoroughly for the presence of ticks in the head, neck and shoulder, 25 cattle were tick-infested. Samples were collected carefully with the use of forceps and were preserved in bottles containing 70% ethyl alcohol mixed with 30% glycerol in the ratio 1:1, then were transported to the laboratory for identification. Samples were analysed for prevalence and mean intensity of parasites in cattles. Atotal of 235 ticks were collected and five species were identified: namely Hyalomma impressum, Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus geigyi, Rhipicephalis sanguineus, and Dermacentor marginatus. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of Hyalomma impressum, Amblyomma variegatum, Boophilus geigyi, Rhipicephalis sanguineus, and Dermacentor marginatus in the head, neck and shoulder in this study. (p<0.05). In light of the tick dispersion pattern and the elements that contribute to it, an efficient tick control program should be developed and put into action.