Prevalence and risk factors associated to skin diseases in small ruminants in Gamo Gofa zone, South-Western Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was employed to estimate the prevalence of skin diseases in small ruminant and risk factors associated to its occurrence in Gamo Gofa zone from July, 2012 to April, 2014. The study areas were clustered into two agro-ecological zones; lowland and highland area. A total of nine hundred (450 sheep and 450 goats) were examined. Detailed physical examinations and systemic examinations, followed by skin scraping and laboratory tests were carried out to diagnose skin diseases. The Pearson's chi-square (χ 2) test was used to assess the degree of association between skin diseases and risk factors. The overall prevalence was found to be 42.33% (381/900). Significantly higher prevalence (p<0.05) of small ruminant skin disease was observed in goats (52.22%) than sheep (38.66%). Furthermore, the study also revealed significantly higher prevalence (p<0.05) in unvaccinated (42.92%) than vaccinated (29.52%) group of animals. The occurrence of skin diseases was statistically significantly associated with age and sex of animals. The prevalence was higher in males (30.38%) than females (22.49%), and in young age groups as compared to adults. The external parasites identified include manges (Sarcoptic, Chorioptic, Psoroptic and Demodectic), ticks (Ambyloma varigatum, Rhipicephalus evertisi evertisi and Boophilus decloratus), lice (Bovicola species and Linognathus species) and sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus). Viral infections, predominantly of pox virus infection were noted in sheep (10.44%) and goat (13.11%) and contagious ecthyma 2.44% on sheep and 2.00% on goats. The overall prevalence of viral disease showed significant association (p<0.05) with vaccination history and age of the study animals. The high prevalence of skin disease on small ruminant has shown there is urgent need for its strategic prevention and control, as skin and hides represent the second major export commodity of the country. It is recommended that external parasite control should be strategically designed and technologically verified in local context