Survey of Tick Infestation in Cattle in Zaria abattoir, 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.