Studies on the Determination of Ectoparasites in Cattle in Bakü, Azerbaijan

Introduction: Parasitic diseases continue to be a significant issue in cattle, as they are in other animal species, resulting in substantial economic losses. Methods: This study was conducted on 1608 cattle between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. The cattle were visited monthly in Baku, Bilgeh, Bine, Kala (Qala), Maştağa, Merdekan, Ramana, and Türkan in Azerbaijan. During this period, a total of 1304 local, 221 Simmental, and 83 Holstein breeds were macroscopically examined for ectoparasites. The ectoparasites were collected by using pliers and were preserved in tubes containing 70% alcohol. Results: Ectoparasites were detected in 230 (14.30%) of 1608 cattle examined. A total of 958 ectoparasites were collected from the infested cattle. In this study, a total of 284 Haematopinus eurysternus, two individuals of Hippobosca equina, and 672 ixodid tick samples belonging to the species of Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma excavatum, Hyalomma scupense (=H. detritum), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, Rhipicephalus bursa, and Ixodes spp. were collected. In Baku center, 11 cattle of 122 (9.02%); in Bilgeh, 37 of 212 (17.45%); in Bine, 45 of 218 (20.64%) in Kala (Qala), 29 of 191 (15.18%); in Maştaga, 68 of 255 (26.67%); in Merdekan, 20 of 210 (9.52%) and in Ramana, 20 of 291 (6.87%) cattle were found to be infested with ectoparasites. However, all the 109 examined cattle were negative in Turkan. Infestation rate was the highest (18.55%) in Simental, the infestation rate was detected that higher in females (16.33%) than the males (10.58%) and the infestation rate was highest in the age between 1-2 years old (28.57%), in November (30.91%) the infestation was detected as highest. Conclusion: The presence of ectoparasites in cattle varied according to age, sex, and locality.