Study on the Prevalence of Bovine Demodecosis and its Associated Risk Factors in and Around Bahir Dar, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2014 to April 2015 in Bahir Dar, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia to determine prevalence of bovine demodicosis. A total of 384 cattle of different groups of age, sex and breed were examined by taking deep skin scrapings. There was no statistically significant difference observed between two categories of breeds (p=0.938), though prevalence was lower in cross breeds (4.8%) than local breeds (5%). There was no statistically significant difference among three categories of age (P=0.430), with prevalence rate of 3.0%, 2.9% and 6.0% in less than one year, one to three year and greater than three years, respectively. The prevalence of demodicosis in female and male was, 5.9% and 3.9%, respectively, with statistically insignificant difference between them (P=0.369).Statically insignificant difference was also found between the two management systems (P=0.096), higher prevalence was observed on cattle managed under semi-intensive management system 7.5% than extensive ones 3.6% management systems. There was statistical significant variation detected among different site of infestation (P=0.027), the highest prevalence was found on shoulder 3.4% followed by neck, (0.8%), dew lap, fore limb and generalized (0.3%). In conclusion the overall prevalence (4.9%) of Demodex bovis infestation was recorded.