PREVALENCE OF TICK INFESTATION IN DIFFERENT BREEDS OF CATTLE IN MAIDUGURI, NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

A survey study was conducted from June to December 2009 using standard parasitological procedures to determine the prevalence of tick infestation among cattle of different breeds in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. The tick species identified were Boophilus microplus, Amblyomma variegatum, Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus sanguineous and Ornithodorus spp. Of the 205 cattle examined, 63.4 % (95 % CI: 56.8 – 70.0) were tick infested. Males had a non – significantly (P> 0.05) higher infestation rate of 63.4 % (56.7 – 71.7) compared with the females 60.9 % (46.8 – 75.0). Younger animals aged ≤ 3 years had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher prevalence of 85.4 % (74.6 – 96.2) as compared with the adults aged> 3 – 7 years 55.8 % (46.3 – 65.3) and older animals> 7 years 35.0 % (22.9 – 47.1). Among breeds, Wadara and Kuri had significantly (P < 0.05) higher infestation rates of 66.1 % (57.9 – 74.3) and 66.7 % (13.4 – 120.0) respectively. Gudali had 60.9 % (41.0 – 80.8), Rahaji 58.0% (44.3 – 71.7) and Bunaji 50.0 % (19.3 – 119.3). Based on the predilection sites, the udder and external genitalia, inner thigh and under the tail/perineum were the most tick-infested sites with 84.3 % (78.3 – 88.5), 79.0 % (73.4 – 84.6) and 69.8 % (63.5 – 76.1) respectively (P < 0.05). While the less preferred sites eyes, neck/dewlap, ears and all over the body each had prevalence of 26.3 % (20.3 – 32.3), 14.6 % (9.8 – 1.4), 12.2 % (7.7 – 16.7) and 11.2 % (6.9 – 15.5) respectively. This study reveals high prevalence of tick infestation among indigenous cattle in Maiduguri. This might hamper cattle production and productivity i