ABSTRACT

The prevalence of ticks infesting cattle in Ogbor-hill abattoir, Lokpanta abattoir and Ubakala abattoir was studied from August to November, 2014, Out of 75 cattle examined in these areas, 60 (80%) of them were infested with ticks. 25 cattle were sampled from each of the locations. Among the infested cattle in each location, 22 (88%) of the infestation was among cattle in  observed in Ubakala abattoir. Out of the total cattle examined, 52 (69%) were males while 23 (31%) were females. The infestation level ofticks had a statistical significant difference (P<0.05) between sex of cattle. Of the 52 males examined, 42 (81%) were infested witli ticks while 18 (78%) females out of the 23 examined were infested witli ticks. The tick genus observed on the cattle in the three study areas Rliipicep/ialiis (20%) and Boophilus (18.3%). The preferred sites of attachment for ticks among A'- cattle examined in the three locations were escutcheon (15.4%), followed by shoulder (14.5%), real- leg (14%) and (6.1%). The ticks observed infesting cattle in these areas are of veterinary and economic importance, because they to farmers. Adequate control measures such as spraying, dipping and controlled foraging should therefore be adopted to protect these animals and man’s interest in them. iv cause considerable damage to hides and skin ofthe cattle and great loss ear- (11.4%), tail (26%), belly (9.7%), fore leg (9.2%), head (8.3%) and neck were Amblyomtna (38.3%), followed by Hyalomma (23.3%), O observed in Ubakala abattoir. Out of the total cattle examined, 52 (69%) were males while 23 (31%) were females. The infestation level ofticks had a statistical significant difference (P<0.05) between sex of cattle. Of the 52 males examined, 42 (81%) were infested witli ticks while 18 (78%) females out of the 23 examined were infested witli ticks. The tick genus observed on the cattle in the three study areas Rliipicep/ialiis (20%) and Boophilus (18.3%). The preferred sites of attachment for ticks among A'- cattle examined in the three locations were escutcheon (15.4%), followed by shoulder (14.5%), real- leg (14%) and (6.1%). The ticks observed infesting cattle in these areas are of veterinary and economic importance, because they to farmers. Adequate control measures such as spraying, dipping and controlled foraging should therefore be adopted to protect these animals and man’s interest in them.