PREVALENCE OF TICK INFESTATION IN DIFFERENT BREEDS OF CATTLE IN BALOCHISTAN - M. E. Kakar1; M. A. Khan; M. S. Khan; K. Ashraf; M. A. Kakar; Hamdullah; S. Jan; A. Razzaq (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2017)
Studies were carried on the prevalence of tick infestation in cattle in District Quetta, the Provincial Head Quarter of Balochistan Province. The results of the study revealed that, out of 600 cattle 210(35%) were positive for tick infestation. Among these, adult cattle over 3 years of age showed higher prevalence (82.05%) followed by cattle up to 3 years (75.64%), 2 years (70.51%), 12 months (19.16%), 9 months (5.83%) and less than 6 months of age (1.58%).. Holstein Friesian revealed higher prevalence (59%) than Crossbred (28.5%) and Bhag Nari cattle breed (17.5%). Similarly the uppermost tick infestation (84%) was recorded in summer season while the lowermost (4.66%) was noted in winter. Female animals showed higher (36%) tick infestation than male (32%).The most dominant tick species identified; Rhipiciphalus (Boophilus) microplus (35.5%), Rhipiciphalus (Boophilus) annulatus (28.5%), Hyaloma (26.5%) and Rhipiciphalus sanguineus (9.5%).
Keywords: journal article; Tick infestation; Cattle; Prevalence; Quetta; Balochistan