Point prevalence of hard ticks (Ixodids) infesting domestic ruminants of lower Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the diversity and intensity of tick population infesting domestic ruminants in Districts Layyah and Muzaffargarh of lower Punjab (Pakistan). A total of 1050 cattle, 700 buffaloes, 1400 each of sheep and goats and 250 camels were randomly selected and examined for the prevalence of tick infestation. The highest (P=0.00) prevalence of tick infestation was found in cattle (n=789/1050; 75.1%) followed in order by goat (n=723/1400; 51.6%) and buffaloes (n=281/700; 40.08%). None of the examined camels and sheep was found infested with ticks. Hyalomma anatolicum was the most abundant followed by Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Appropriate control measures for ticks need to be employed in the study area for economical animal production.