Endemic ixodid tick infestation on buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in east Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India

S. Chennuru. Department of Veterinary Parasitology E-mail:sdevichennuru@rediffmail.com; K. Mounika. Veterinary Assistant Surgeon; S. Krovvidi. Department of Animal Genetics

Endemic ixodid tick infestation on buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in east Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India

2019

S. Chennuru(NTR College of Veterinary Science, Andhra Pradesh (India). Department of Veterinary Parasitology) E-mail:sdevichennuru@rediffmail.com | K. Mounika(Avidi Veterinary Dispensary, Andhra Pradesh (India). Veterinary Assistant Surgeon) | S. Krovvidi(NTR College of Veterinary Science, Andhra Pradesh (India). Department of Animal Genetics)

Ticks are one of the important vectors of zoonoses and are major constraint to livestock farming. The present study was carried at East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India, during October 2016 to May 2017 to determine the prevalence of tick infestation on buffaloes. Examination of ticks collected from 420 buffaloes of house hold, organised and unorganised dairy farms from different villages of district revealed 29.52 percent of tick infestation in the study area. Exclusively Haemaphysalis species was identified by processing of ticks in 10 percent KOH solution by standard parasitological technique. Among different age groups the higher rate of prevalence (10.24 percent) was noticed in LT= 6 months followed by 8.09 percent in 6 months to 1 year, 5.48 percent in 1 to 2 years and 5.71 percent in GT= 2 years of age group animals. Statistically there was a significant difference (chi square =16.97, P=0.0007) between the age groups with respect to prevalence of ticks in buffaloes. Subsequently animals were treated with two subcutaneous injections of ivermectin at 200 micro g/ kg four days apart. Farther owners were also advised spraying of animal sheds and its surroundings with Amitraz 12.5 percent emulsifiable concentration. The results of the present study is suggestive of the poor animal husbandry practices pursued by the farmers of the study area which are to be addressed by following appropriate control strategies considering the epidemiology of ticks.

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