Demodex and Sarcoptes Mites of Cattle: An Extravagance for Leather Industry

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted on 59 randomly selected dairy farms and small-scale owners in Gondar town commencing October 2010 to March 2011, to determine the prevalence of mange mite on cattle and associated risk factors. The study involved the application of skin scrape. Among the farms examined, 38 (64.4%) contained at list one positive cattle. There was statistically insignificant (P =6.457; p > 0.05) 2 difference observed among the three herd size categories though management system had statistically significant (P =15.625; p <0.05) effect on herd level prevalence. The overall prevalence of 13.79% was recorded 2 out of 435 cattle examined in the study period. There was no statistically significant variations observed among various age (P =1.23; p > 0.05), sex (P =0.091; p > 0.05), breed (P =0.30; p > 0.05) categories and different 2 2 2 management systems (P =1.198, p>0.05), but statistically significant (P = 413.00; p< 0.05) variations observed 2 2 among sites of lesions. The most preferable site of lesions was shoulder (35%) while ventral area was the lowest (8.34%). Among the total of 60 positive cattle for mange mite, 41 (68.3%) Demodex and 19 (31.7%) Sarcoptes types of mange mites were identified. In conclusion, the prevalence recorded in this study was found higher than those reported previously in other study area. Therefore, for the impending of such a high prevalence, measures must be undertaken on management system, sufficient veterinary service and creation of awareness for the owners about the disease. Key words: Cattle % Gondar % Mange mite % Dairy farms % Occurrence