Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2018 to June 2018 to determine the prevalence of tick and the associated risk factors and identify major tick genera infesting cattle in Guder town of the West Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Total 164 cattle under extensive management system purposely from Guder town were selected by systematic random sampling technique and then examined for tick infestation. Adult ticks were collected from different body parts of cattle and identified to genera level in the laboratory. Out of the total of 164 examined cattle, 164 (100%) were found to be infested by one or two genera of ticks. Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) were the two genera obtained and identified from the study area with a prevalence rate of 89.2 and 66.5%, respectively. Since the entire selected cattle were positive, the prevalence of cattle ticks infestation was not feasible to study the tick infestation with indicated risk factors. The current study concluded a high prevalence of tick infestation in cattle found in the area. Therefore, effective tick control programs should be formulated and implemented in the area.

Key words:  Ambylomma, cattle, Guder, ixodidae, prevalence, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus), tick.