Collection and prevalence of ticks in cattles and buffaloes from free-range management systems of Islamabad

Abstract

Background: In recent decades, parasitism has remained one of the major problems of dairy industry in Pakistan. In this context, the most common tick species prevailing is Hyalomma, Boophilus, Haemaphysalis, and Rhipicephalus. Result: High prevalence was found in cow 20.83% as compared to buffaloes. Over all prevalence of ticks was found as 11.3% whereas no ticks were found from LRS (livestock research station), and Malpur showed higher prevalence (8.67%). Breed wise tick prevalence showed that crossbred cattle was heavily infested (39.53%) while pure bred indigenous cattle was mildly infested (3.03%). Three tick genera found were Hyalomma with high prevalence rate 6.63% and Rhipicephalus and Boophilus with low prevalence rate 1.53% while management system of LRS in Islamabad was found satisfactory with no tick prevalence and rural areas of Islamabad was not satisfactory with 23% of tick prevalence ration. It was concluded from the study that ticks were present in the crossbred cattles of pre-urban areas specially Malpur region of Islamabad with low management system, so there is a need of proper monitoring and management in the pre-urban areas. Conclusion: Key steps should be taken for good managements regarding large animals while special care must be taken for small animals. Proper spray must be carried out for the removal of pathogenic species.