Probability of Ticks Infestation in Goats Sold in Okitipupa Main Market, In Southern Part of Ondo State

Ticks are the most important ectoparasites of livestock in tropical and sub-tropical areas. They are responsible for severe economic losses both through direct effects of blood sucking and indirectly as vectors of pathogens and toxins. Feeding by large numbers of ticks causes reduction in live weight gain and anaemia among domestic animals. An epidemiological study was carried out on ticks of goat in Okitipupa main market in Southern part of Ondo State from September, 2021 to November, 2021. Goats were sampled randomly. Collected ticks species were preserved in 70% ethanol to be counted and morphologically identified to the species level. A total of eighty (80) goats were examined, thirty-five (35) of the goats examined were infested out of which (20) female and (15) male were infested. One hundred and eleven (111) species which were largely Amblyomma variegatum, the most predominant hard tick species was identified. The main attachment/predilection sites of tick detected were head (33), neck (9), back (13), abdomen (39) and leg (17) which is significant to the tick infestation. The infestation rate of tick was insignificantly different between sex, female (46.5%) and male (40.5%). Therefore, to reduce high prevalence of tick, proper and planned control measure by creating awareness about the importance and control of ectoparasites for farmers is needed.