Tick-Borne Haemoparasites in Cattle Reared under Extensive System of Management in Sourthern Agricultural Zone of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of tick-borne haemoparasites in extensively grazed cattle in the southern agricultural zone of Nasarawa state. A total of 100 cattle comprising of 62 cows and 38 bulls were randomly sampled from herds within the zone. Ticks and blood samples were collected from each animal and examined. The Ticks were identified morphologically while thin smears of blood samples were prepared on slide and stained with Giemsa stain and haemopararsites were observed under light microscope. Data obtained from the study were tested for significance using Pearson’s Chi-square test in Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 and were presented as frequency and percentages. Out of 100 cattle sampled 50 (50.00%) were seen with various species of ticks (10%, 15%, 15%, and 10% recorded from mixed species, Amblyomma spp, Hylomma spp, and Boophilus respectively). Breed, age, and sex specific prevalence of ticks were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Haemoparasites distribution among breed of cattle showed that the percentage infection due to mixed infection, Anaplasma spp, Babesia spp and Theileria spp were 22.00%, 59. 00% and 35.00% and 1.00% respectively. Theileria spp was not found in any of the breed except Sokoto gudali x white Fulani cattle breed. Young, adult and old cattle had 36.84%, 19.23% and 17.28% respectively. The range of distribution due to Analpasma spp ranges between 55.80 and 65.52% in Adult and Old respectively. The results showed no significant (P>0.05) relationship between sex and distribution of heamoparasites. Prevalence of mixed infection (18.42% and 24.19%), Anaplasma spp (63.16% and 56.45%), Babesia spp (36.84% and 33.87%) and Theilaria spp (0.00 to 1.61%) were observed in male and female respectively. There was significantly (P<0.05) higher packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, white blood cell count neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and basophil were not significantly (P>0.05) different. It was concluded that ticks and haemoparasites of cattle are present in the study area and are independent of the breed age and sex of the animal. Strategic control of tick and haemoparasite is therefore advocated for.