A study on prevalence and factors associated with ectoparasitism in goats of two agro-climatic regions in India

Abstract

The present study was aimed to evaluate the factors associated with prevalence of various ectoparasites among goats during winter season in two different agro-climatic regions of India. A total of 320 goats (Uttarakhand-208; Uttar Pradesh-112) were screened and evaluated for ectoparasitism and associated factors. The occurrence of ectoparasitism in goats was studied in relation with age, sex, breed, housing, agro-climatic region and system of rearing. Prevalence of ectoparasitism among goats of lower Shivalik region (Dehradun and Tehri Garhwal districts) of Uttarakhand and Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh was 90.38 and 39.29%, respectively. The common ectoparasites observed were chewing lice (Bovicola caprae), sucking lice (Linognathus africanus), fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and ticks (Haemaphysalis spp.). Among all the ectoparasitic infestation, pediculosis was the most common affection during the study period in both agro-climatic region; chewing lice in Uttarakhand and sucking lice in Uttar Pradesh. Agro-climatic region, breed, immune status, system of rearing and hygiene were highly affecting the prevalence and distribution of ectoparasites among goats. High prevalence of ectoparasitism in the study area warrants the need for formulating appropriate intervention strategies to improve control of ectoparasites and awareness among goat farmers.

Keywords: Bareilly; Critical factors; Dehradun; Ectoparasite; Epidemiology; Goat; Shivalik region; Tehri Garhwal.

Fig. 1

a Chewing or biting lice (Bovicola caprae) infestation in a goat. b Microphotograph of a chewing louse (B. caprae) having broad head with blunt mouth parts adapted for chewing

Fig. 2

a Sucking lice (Linognathus africanus) infestation in a goat. b Microphotograph of a sucking louse (L. africanus), having conical head with bulging of posterio-lateral aspect, which is a differentiating character from L. stenopsis

Fig. 3

Lice eggs or “nits” attached on hair shaft of goats

Fig. 4

Prevalence of ectoparasites among goats of lower Shivalik region (Dehradun and Tehri Garhwal districts), Uttarakhand during November, 2015 to January, 2016 (%)

Fig. 5

Prevalence of ectoparasites among goats of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh during November, 2015 to January, 2016 (%)

Fig. 6

Age wise distribution of lice infestation in male goats (%)

Fig. 7

Age wise distribution of lice infestation in female goats (%)

Fig. 8

Breed wise distribution of ectoparasites in goats (%)

Fig. 9

Prevalence of ectoparasites among goats in relation to the system of rearing (%)