Survey of Common Skin Problemof Working Equines in and Around Mekelle, North Ethiopia

Working equine animals are essential for many poor people living in developing countries like Ethiopia however their socioeconomic contribution is often under recognized; as a result their welfare is highly compromised. Therefore this cross-sectional study was conductedto determine the magnitude of skin problem of working equines in three selected areas of Tigray, North Ethiopia (Mekelle, Quiha and Adigudom). The study was conducted aiming to study the prevalence of skin problems in working equines and identify the risk factors associated. A total of 997 working equines that include 969 (97.2%) donkeys and 28 (2.8%) mules were considered for the study. Selected equines were clinically examined for visible skin lesion. Depending on the skin lesion type detailed clinical examination were performed and appropriate samples were taken for microbiology. An overall prevalence of skin problem was found to be 34.3%. Working equines in Mekelle (51.5%) were found to be highly affected (=76.143, p=0.000) than that of Adigudom (49.6%) and Quiha (23.5%) 2 respectively. The skin problems that were recorded in the study includes: wound (30.3%), ectoparasites (4.0%), ring worm (2.57%), sarcoid (2.5%),and dermatophilosis (1.7%) in decreasing order. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the prevalence of wound among different body condition scores, equines in poor body condition were five times exposed (OR=5.1, CI= 2.82, 9.23) for wound than equines at better body condition. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in prevalence of wound in donkeys and mules involved on different types of work where equines used for charcoal transportation were highly affected. The anatomical distribution of the occurrence of wound on the equine was found to indicate association between areas of harnessing, packing and inappropriate hobbling. The study has shown that working equines are suffering from skin problem mainly wound. Hence holistic approach of intervention has paramount importance to improve the health and welfare problems of working equines.