Performance of Sokoto Gudali heifers under different tick control measures in Ibadan

Authors

  • O. A. Olorunnisomo Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
  • O. T. Lasisi Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Keywords:

cypermethrin; tick count; babesia parasite; intake; growth rate; zebu cattle

Abstract

In a study conducted to investigate the effects of regular application of cypermethrin on animal or pasture, sixteen Sokoto Gudali heifers were subjected to the following treatments: no treatment (NT); treatment on animal (TA); treatment on pasture (TP) and; treatment on animal and pasture (TAP) using a completely randomized design. Cypermethrin solution was sprayed on animals or pasture at 21-day intervals. There were significant reductions in tick count and babesia infection in cattle with application of cypermethrin on animal or pasture. Tick count was 27, 8, 12, and 3 per animal for NT, TA, TP and TAP respectively. Babesia parasite was not noticeable in the blood of heifers by the third week of treatment in TAP and sixth week in TA and TP. Animals in NT (control) were infected with babesia parasites throughout the period of study. The erythrocyte count (RBC) for cattle in this study was 10.5, 10.8, 10.8 and 11.7 × 1012/L for NT, TA, TP and TAP respectively, showing that health status of cattle improved with application of acaricide. Dry matter intake (DMI) of cattle increased from 1.98 to 3.75 % of body weight (BW) while growth rate of heifers increased from 0.30 to 0.78 kg/day when animal and pasture were treated with cypermethrin. These results show that health and performance of animals improved when tick control measures formed part of routine management practices for zebu heifers in tick infested areas.

References

Abebe, R., Fantahun, T., Abera, M., Bekele, J., 2010. Survey of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting cattle in two districts

of Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. Veter. World., 3(12), 539-543.

Estrada-Pena, A., 2001. Forecasting habitat suitability for ticks and prevention of tick-borne diseases. Veterinary

Parasitol., 98, 111-132.

Magona, J.W., Walubengo, J., Kabi, F., 2011. Response of Nkedi Zebu and Ankole cattle to tick infestation and

natural tick-borne, helminth and trypanosome infections in Uganda. Trop. Anim. Health Product., 43(5), 1019-

Mahmood, A.A., Sidik, K., Khirul, A.A., Salmah, I., Suzainur, K.A.R., 2004. Effect of Malaysian zebu cattle (KedahKelantan) and their European crosses on the tick biological parameters following repeated experimental

infestations. J. Anim. Veter. Adv., 3(1), 48 – 51.

Morel, P., 1989. Manual of Tropical Veterinary Parasitology, Tick- borne diseases of Livestock in Africa. CAB Int.,

UK, pp 299-460.

Msolla, P.M., Nonga, H.F., 2001. The efficacy of Paranex, a 10% w/v alpha-cypermethrin preparation for the control

of ticks and tsetse flies. Proc. Tanzan. Veter. Assoc. Sci.Confer., 21st Edition, December 2001, Arusha, pp 35-

Ristic, M., Levy, M.G., 1981. A new era of research toward solution of bovine babesiosis. In: M. Ristic and J.P. Kreier

(eds.), Babesiosis, New York, Academic Press.

SAS., 1995. SAS/STAT User’s Guide. Version 6, 4th Edition. Volume 1 and 2. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC.

Seebeck, R.M., Springell, P.H., O'Kelly, J.C., 1971. Alterations in host metabolism by the specific anorectic effects of

the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus). 1. Food intake and body weight growth. Austral. J. Bioog. Sci., 24, 373-

Wesonga, F.D., Kitala, P.M., Gathuma, J.M., Njenga, M.J., Ngumi, P.N., 2010. An assessment of tick-borne diseases

constraints to livestock production in a smallholder livestock production system in Machakos District, Kenya.

Liv. Res. Rur. Dev., Volume 22, Article #111. Retrieved from, http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd22/6/weso22111.htm

Published

2014-08-25

How to Cite

A. Olorunnisomo, O., & T. Lasisi, O. (2014). Performance of Sokoto Gudali heifers under different tick control measures in Ibadan. Scientific Journal of Animal Science, 3(8), 219-224. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjas/article/view/822

Issue

Section

Original Article