The infestation rates and predilection sites of ticks on cattles and dogs in calabar, Nigeria

Ticks infestation is highly significant in the provision of meat, milk and other animal products. The infestation rate and predilection sites of 50 each of cattles and dogs was studied in relation to age and sex between June and December, 2011. Boophilus decoloratus, Rhipicephalus annulatus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus microplus and Haemopysalis leachi were species of ticks identified. Although dogs and cattles were both infested, tick infestation was significantly higher (P<0.05) in cattles (74.3%) compared to dogs (25.66%). The dorminant species of ticks in cattles was Boophilus decoloratus (37.8%) while dogs had Rhipicephalus sanguineus (53.8%). Infestation in cattles was highest at the Groin (8.6 ± 0.31) and least on the face and neck regions (2.84 ± 0.026) while in dogs infestation was highest in the ears (2.96 ± 0.19) and least on the head, face and neck regions (1.24 ± 0.11). Prevalence of ticks infestation was highest in female cattles (59.1%) than in males (40.9%) and in dogs tick infestation was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the female dogs (60.2%) than in males (39.8%). Infestation was higher in younger dogs (58.8%) than in adult dogs (41.5%). The Findings of this study is important in planning the control strategy of ticks in Calabar.