Abstract
The prevalence of tick-borne haemoparasitic diseases in Zebu Cattle (Bos taurus indicus) ready for slaughter in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa State were investigated. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 200 presumably healthy Zebu cattle using 10ml hypodermal syringe into well- labelled Ethylene Diamine Tetra acetic (EDTA) bottles. Thin and thick blood films were prepared for microscopy. Haematological parameters were determined using the micro haematocrit method. Out of the 200 Zebu cattle examined, 125 (62.5%) were infected. More female75 (75%) were infected than male 50 (50%). The parasites identified were Anaplasma marginale (57.5%), Bebasia bovis (35.8%) and Theileria parva (6.7%). There was a significant reduction (P > 0.05) in the level of PCV (20.53±0.70), Hb (8.60±0.30) and RBC (8.00±0.6) in infected cattle compared to the reference range. The high prevalence of tick-borne haemoparasites in zebu cattle in the study area could be reduced through proper animal management practice, health orientation of herders, good sanitary habit and proper treatment of infected cattle.
Highlights
Livestock management is highly practiced worldwide on extensive, intensive or semi-intensive basis
Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 200 presumably healthy Zebu cattle using 10ml hypodermal syringe into well- labelled Ethylene Diamine Tetra acetic (EDTA) bottles
The high prevalence of tick-borne haemoparasites in zebu cattle in the study area could be reduced through proper animal management practice, health orientation of herders, good sanitary habit and proper treatment of infected cattle
Summary
Livestock management is highly practiced worldwide on extensive, intensive or semi-intensive basis. The raring of animals have high economic value and has employed approximately 1.3 billion people globally [1,2,3,4,5]. The common animals reared in Nigeria are diverse species of ruminants (Cattle, sheep and goats) [5,6]. Cattle are regarded as the main source of protein for most households globally. The viability and productivity of these animals are affected by tick-borne haemo-parasites such as Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Theileria spp. These parasites poise serious health risk to livestock and humans as some are zoonotic. Their presence is of huge public health threat to humans and livestock productivity [7]
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