Lice Infestation in Small Ruminants in Nono District, West Showa Zone, Oromia Regional State

A cross-sectional study on ectoparasites of sheep (n=365) and goats (n=211) was conducted in Nono district west Showa zone Oromia regional state east Ethiopia from November 2017 to April 2018 to determine the prevalence of major lice infestation of sheep and goats and the associated risk factors. Out of the examined animals, 177(48.5%) sheep and 107 (50.7%) goats were infested with one or more of Damalinia and Linognathus species of lice. Relative to sex, age and body condition score female, young and poor body condition score of sheep was significantly affected. Linognathus species in goats significantly infested female and poor body condition score animal than male and medium and good body condition goats (P< 0.05). The overall prevalence was generally high which may result in enormous economic losses through decreased production and productivity, damages to the skin and deaths of the animal which requires an immediate professional and governmental attention