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ISSN: 2251-7685 Abstract 81 J. Vet. Adv., 2012, 2(2):81-87 OBADIAH AND SHEKARO Survey of Tick Infestation in Cattle in Zaria Abattoir, Nigeria *1 Obadiah H. I. and 2 Shekaro A 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State 2 National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria Nigeria has a high herd of cattle population, majority of which are in the hands of pastoralists. Apart from the direct effect of tick infestation on animal production and productivity, ticks are inevitably efficient vectors of many pathogens, like protozoa, viruses, bacteria, and rickettsiae to man and domestic animals. A survey on ticks (arthropods) was carried out in Zaria abattoir in December 2009. 120 animals were samples, out of which 66 (55 %) were males and 54 (45 %) females. Four species of ticks were collected from three breeds of cattle and their prevalence showed; Amblyomma variegatum 27 (22.5%) as the commonest, followed by Boophilus decoloratus, 21 (17. 5%), Hyalomma sp 8 (6.7 %) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus 4(3.3 %). We also noted that 19(15.8%) of the animals examined had skin lesions in addition to ticks infestation. We therefore recommend in strong term a control of ticks in our environment to prevent spread of diseases and improve animal production in this region. Key words: Cattle, ticks, abattoir * Corresponding author: hagbike@yahoo.com Received on: 18 Jan 2012 Accepted on: 28 Jan 2012 Online Published on: 01 Feb 2012 Original Article
SURVEY OF TICK INFESTATION IN CATTLE IN ZARIA … Introduction Nigeria had a mean cattle population of 13.9million in 1990, of which 11.5million of this population were kept under pastoral system (Okoli et al., 2012) and 2.4 million in the villages (Roger, 1999). Furthermore, these cattle were predominantly zebu, such as, Bunaji (White Fulani), Rahaji (Red Bororo), Sokoto gudali and others. The author reported a seasonal change in the relative proportion of these animals in various ecological zones of the country. Apart from trypanosomosis and other disease agents, ticks also affect the production of animals. Ticks are obligatory blood-sucking arachnid arthropods infecting mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. They are vectors of disease agents (such as babesiosis, cowdriosis, anaplasmosis), causing anaemia, dermatitis, paralysis, otocariasis, as well as loss of production (Schmidt and Roberts 1989). Three families of ticks have been identified, but two of them are well known and of veterinary importance, Ixodidae (hard ticks) and Argasidae (soft ticks) (Sonenshine 1991; Luqman et al., 2007). Once they attach to a host for a blood meal, they can cause skin irritation and anemia. According to Radunz (2003), cattle ticks transmit the organisms that cause tick fever, which is a serious blood parasite disease of cattle. This disease can be lethal to susceptible animals, and others may suffer severe loss of condition. They are vectors of pathogens, such as Babesia, Theileria, and Anaplasma spp. to animals in the world (Soulsby, 1982). Because of the diseases they transmit in addition to induce paralysis or toxicosis and cause physical damage to livestock, animals in poor condition are especially vulnerable (Radunz, 2003). Previously unexposed cattle become heavily infested until they build up a degree of resistance. Bos indicus cattle (tropical breeds) and their crosses develop a greater degree of resistance than do Bos taurus (British and European breeds) (Radunz, 2003). According to Robert et al. (2009), the winter tick is a one-host species that feeds primarily on large hoofed animals. The larvae attack host animals from early October through April, molt to nymphs on the host, feed and then molt to the adult stage while still on the host. Both males and females take a blood meal, mate, and then the engorged female drop to the ground and lays eggs. Tick populations on the host get to a peak between late October and mid-February. The economic impact of tick infestations is enormous worldwide. In 1984, the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated the global cost of Ixodidae tick infestation to be US$7.0 billion annually. The one-host tick Boophilus microplus is reported to have caused losses of more than US$1.0 billion and US$1.0 million annually in South America and Australia, respectively (Radostits et al. 2000). Zaria and it’s environ has a special climate (Guinea Savannah), with its rainy (range from April to October) and dry (from November to March) seasons favorable to agriculture and animal husbandry (Mortimore, 1970). Many cattle graze in the pastures and forests, and the probability for them to be exposed to tick infestation is very high. However, so far, only few studies have been done on ticks, particularly encountered at the slaughter house which is the true picture of those in the field. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of tick infestation in cattle observed in Zaria abattoir. Materials and Methods Study Area A study of ticks was carried out in Zaria abattoir. Zaria (11° 3' N; 7° 42' E) is located about 83km North of Kaduna, along the Kaduna-Kano highway (Mortimore, 1970). Zaria comprises of two Local Government Areas namely; Zaria and Sabon Gari. By the existing pattern of settlement, Zaria urban is composed mainly of four districts namely; Zaria City, Tudun Wada, Sabon Gari and Samaru. Zaria is made up of a natural and stable ecosystem in the Northern Guinea Savannah zone, with a discontinuous layer of sparsely distributed short trees followed by relatively continuous layers of tall, medium and short grasses; rainfall is below 125mm (Mortimore, 1970). Zaria is an old commercial, administrative and academic town in Northern Nigeria, but most parts have poor environmental hygiene as evident by heaps of refuse dumps coupled with indiscriminate disposal 82 J. Vet. Adv., 2012, 2(2):81-87
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