Risk factors associated prevalence of hard tick in large ruminants of coastal areas of South Gujarat, India

Abstract

A total of 2617 large animals (1682 cattle and 935 buffaloes) of coastal districts (Bharuch, Surat, Navsari and Valsad) of South Gujarat were screened for tick infestation. The tick’s prevalence rate was (p less than 0.05) significantly higher in cross-breed (44.81%) as compared to indigenous cattle (22.93%)/ buffaloes (32.26%). Prevalence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Hyalomma spp., Haemaphysalis spp. and mixed tick infestation was 57.80, 13.05, 20.32 and 8.83%, respectively. Infestation rate in large animals of less than 3 years had increased up to the level of 78.28%. Animals with poor body condition/ anaemia, kept in loose house (80.53%) and allowed group feeding (70.56%) had noted higher (p less than 0.05) prevalence rate of tick. Prevalence was highest in summer (41.84%) followed by rainy (40.65%) and winter (17.50%) season. It is quite demanding to know the area-wise prevalence of the hard ticks infecting animals.