Investigations into Ixodidae ticks in cattle in Lahore, Pakistan.

Abstract

A total of 2,160 cattle, comprising adults and calves of exotic, crossbred and indigenous breeds, were examined for tick infestation between 1996 and 2000. Of these, 1 417 (65.6%) were infested with ticks, with a total of 220 (61%) from exotic breeds, 262 (72%) were crossbred and 172 (48%) were indigenous adult cattle. Calves of exotic, crossbred and indigenous breeds were infested with ticks at the following rates: 246 (68%), 294 (82%) and 223 (62%), respectively. Higher infestation levels were noted with Rhipicephalus microplus which affected 912 (64.3%) animals, in comparison to Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum which affected 302 (21.3%). Rhipicephalus infestation was more extensive than that with genus Hyalomma.