Foot abscess in goats in relation to the seasonal abundance of adult Amblyomma hebraeum and adult Rhipicephalus glabroscutatum (Acari: Ixodidae).

Abstract

The seasonal prevalence of foot abscess affecting Angora and Boer goats in Valley Bushveld in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa was significantly related to the seasonal abundance of adult Amblyomma hebraeum and adult Rhipicephalus glabroscutatum. Angora goats harboured more ticks than Boer goats and also had a greater number of abscessed feet. Larger numbers of ticks and abscesses were recorded on hind feet than on fore feet. There was no significant correlation between rainfall and the occurrence of foot abscess. The seasonal abundance of adult A. hebraeum and adult R. glabroscutatum on several ruminant species at various localities in the Cape Province is described.