Prevalence and Association of Hard Ticks (Ixodidae) with Various Breeds of Sheep and Goats

Abstract

Pakistan has agricultural land and livestock play a significant part particularly to raise the living standard of poor farmer’s communities. Ectoparasites are one of the greatest dangers to livestock and among ectoparasites, ticks are the most common one. The current study was completed in district Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan to determine the tick infestation in different breeds of goat and sheep. A total of 840 animals were investigated during the winter and summer seasons to determine ticks prevalence. The overall prevalence of tick infestation in the sheep and goat population of the Quetta district was 12.26%. Five species of ticks i.e. Ixodes (3.98%), Haemaphysalis (1.90%), Hyalomma (7.38%), Rhipicephalus (7.14%), and Boophilus (2.62%) were prevalent in the study area. A non-significant association (P > 0.05) of tick infestation with sheep and goat breeds was found in the present study. The highest prevalence of ticks was found in animals of 1-2 years of age (15.79%), followed in order by less than one year (11.44%), and 2-3 years (9.06%) of age. Females (15.56%) were found more prone to tick infestation than males (9.20%). The tick infestation was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in summer (18.81%) as compared to winter (5.71%). Among breeds of sheep, the highest prevalence of tick infestation was found in Bibrik sheep (13.60%), followed in order by Afghani sheep (12.50%), Balochi sheep (12.50%) and Harnai sheep (10.00%). The Khurasani goat (15.15%) showed higher infestation as compared to Lehri goat (11.85%) and Sindhi goats (10.00%). It is concluded that the different breeds of sheep and goats were equally susceptible to tick infestation and there were no association of tick infestation with sheep and goat breeds however, the prevalence of ticks was significantly higher in summer than winter.