Prevalence of Ectoparasites on Small Ruminants Around Kombolcha, North East Ethiopia

The study was conducted around Kombolcha, south wollo, north east Ethiopia from November 2007 to April 2008 to determine the extent of ectoparasite problem in small ruminants. A total of 1638 (685 sheep and 983 goats) were examined for the presence of skin lesion that is indicative of ectoparasites. The relation between prevalence rate of ectoparaites in relation to species, sex and age was determined. Different species of ectoparasites were identified in both sexes and different age groups in sheep and goats. Out of these examined animals 460 (190 sheep and 270 goats) were found with skin lesion of a total 190 sheep with skin lesion 88.4% were positive for one or more species of ectoparasites which out 270 goats with skin lesion 100% were infested with various ectoparasites. The major ectoparasites prevailing in the area and registered in this study were mange 2.7% in sheep and 5.7 in goats, tick 7.35 in sheep and 13.7% in goats, lice 21.7% in sheep and 34% in goats and flea 7.3% in sheep and 8.2% in goats. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the prevalence rate of all the ectoparasites infestation between sheep and goats although higher infestation rate was found in goats than sheep in all ectoparasites. The prevalence rate of mange in goats and lice and flea in sheep was significantly (p<0.05) associated with age. No statistically significant (p>0.05) difference in the prevalence of all the ectoparasites between male and female. Based on the questionnaire summery 126 (84%) of the 150 respondents considered ectoparasite as an important problem in small ruminant production in the study area. Out of which 107(71.3%) were found to know problems caused by ectoparasites, 66(44%) have knowledge on seasonal occurrence of ectoparasites and 124 (827%) were found to explain made of transmission of ectoparasites. Based on the findings, effort should be made to control ectoparasites so as to ensure quality of skin and prevent economic loss attributable to skin lesions.