SURVEY OF ECTOPARASITE AND THEIR PREDILICTION SITES ON CATTLE IN BUKURU MARKET
Olabode, H O.K 1., Silas, P.M.2 and Agbede, R.I.S 3
1Department of Veterinary Microbiology,University of Abuja, Nigeria.
2Department of Agriculture, Local Government Service Commission, Bukuru
3Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Email: olabodeok@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Survey of ectoparasites and their predilection sites was conducted to determine their occurrence and economic impact on cattle brought for sales in Bukuru livestock market. A total of 120 cattle were examined for these ectoparasites in January-February, 2010 in Bukuru livestock market. Out of this figure, 12.5% were infested with ectoparasites of which, 7.5% were positive for Amblyomma spp, 1.3%, were positive for Boophilus spp and Hyalomma spp respectively, while Haematopinus spp had 0.83% occurrence. Oral interview with the marketer revealed that ectoparasite infested cattle are usually identified, and parasites especially Ticks are handpicked in the early hours of the business-day. They also acknowledged the fact that such parasites could transmit diseases to healthy stock causing reduction in market value. Strategic and tactical control of ectoparasites in cattle herds and markets is therefore recommended.