Veterinary Science & Technology

Survey on Ixodid Ticks on Cattle at Chagni Cattle and Forage Multiplication and Distribution Center, North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Million Admasu* and Shemsia Mohammed

A survey was conducted on ixodid ticks infesting cattle at Chagni cattle and Forage multiplication and distribution center formerly known as Metekele Ranch with the objective of identifying important tick species and to assess some possible risk factors for tick infestation on cattle. Ticks were collected from 384 cattle of different breeds, age, and sex. During the study period, 1884 adult ixodid ticks were collected, out of which, 602 were male and 1281 were female tickes. The ticks were collect from nine different body regions of cattle, including, head, dewlap, neck/briskets, foreleg, belly, rear leg, escutcheon, tail, and shoulder/back/side. The species of ticks identified were Ambylomma varigatum (41.03%) Ambylomma lepidum (0.11%), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (39.38%), Boophilus decoloratus (16.93) and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes (2.55%). From all the 384 cattle, haematocrite value was determined and 179 animals were found with below the normal value for all cattle. All the blood samples from the study cattle were thoroughly checked for the presence of tick born haemoparasites using thin blood film and were found negative.