Pattern of Ticks and Lice Infestation on Small Ruminants in Sokoto, Sokoto State

Abstract

Sheep and goats are major sources of meat, skin and farm yard manure for more than
60% of indigenous population in Sokoto State, Nigeria. In addition, they are
important for the high social economic value, as insurance against crop failure, and
usage for cultural festivities and religious sacrifices. Among the factors which
hamper the productivity of these small ruminants is ecto parasitism. This study was
therefore carried out to investigate the pattern of tick and lice infestations on small
ruminants presented at the state Zonal Veterinary Clinic, Sokoto between March and
August, 2015. Of the total 104 small ruminants presented for treatment consisting of
73 sheep and 31 goats investigated, the prevalence of tick and lice infestations in this
study was observed to be 23.1% and 3.8% for sheep and goats, respectively. Thus,
confirming the presence of these parasites in Sokoto. In sheep, Amblyomma
variegatum (14.4%), Boophilus decoloratus (6.7%) and Linognathus ovilus (1.9%)
were found, while Amblyomma variegatum (3.9%) was the only tick species found in
goats. The pattern of ticks and lice infestations on small ruminants based on age
distribution showed that infestation was highest among the sheep above 3 years of
age. It is also higher among the female animals than in males. The infestation was
highest among Yankasa breed than other breeds encountered in the study, while
infestation in goats was found only among Sokoto Red. A strategic control of these
ectoparasites with appropriate acaricides during the period of high burden of ticks
and lice based on epidemiology is recommended