Prevalence and Impacts of Ectoparasitic Fauna Infesting Goats ( Capra hircus ) of District Toba Tek Singh, Punjab, Pakistan

摘要

The current study was conducted to define the prevalence and associated determinants ofectoparasitic fauna infesting domestic goats of district Toba Tek Singh (T.T. Singh), Punjab, Pakistan. Overallprevalence was found 11.14% (448/4020). Among various ectoparasites, ticks (33.58%) were found predominantas compared to lice (9.58%), fleas (6.84%), mites (3.23%) and flies (2.49%). Hyalomma anatolicum (20.39%),Rhipicephalus microplus (13.18%), Ctenocepahlides felis (4.35%), Ctenocepahlides canis (2.48%),Haematopinus spp. (3.48%), Damalinia spp. (3.23%), Linognathus spp. (2.73%), Psoroptes ovis (2.23%),Sarcoptes scabei (0.99%) and Hypoderma ovis (3.42%) were the prevalent species of ectoparasites. Age, sexand breed of host were not found positively associated with the prevalence of ectoparasites. Among varioushusbandry practices, floor pattern was found having significant variation, while feeding system, housingsystem and animal keeping were not found significantly (P>0.05) associated with the prevalence ofectoparasites. Seasonal trend showed highest prevalence of fleas, lice and mites during the months of winterwhile peak frequency distribution of ticks and flies was recorded during summer and spring months,respectively. Comparison of hematological parameters showed low values in positive animals, while an increasewas recorded in biochemical parameters due to infestation. The fallout of the present study may play significantrole for planning an effective control of ectoparasites in the study area.