Prevalence and Risk Factors for Bovine Thelaziasis at Mersa Town of South Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted from April 2014 to June 2014 in Mersa Town of South Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional Stat to determine the prevalence of thelaziasis of the disease in cattle associated risk factors responsible for the occurrence of the disease. A total of 384 cattle of both ages (98 young and 286 adult) sexes (203 male and 181 females) were examined using visual observation of the eyes by flushing the conjunctiva sac and lachrymal duct with sterile saline solution. The overall prevalence for thelaziasis was 18.23% (70 cases). Age, sex, body condition scores and management systems did not show any statistical significant difference (P>0.05) in the prevalence for thelaziasis. The prevalence was higher in male (24.12%) than female (11.6%), age groups of young (26.53%) were higher than adult (18.38%) in animals kept in extensive (20.69%) than those kept in semi-intensive system (13.01%). The prevalence of bovine thelaziasis was recorded highest it in poor (30.19%) than medium (17.79%) and lowest in good (14.48%) body conditioned score cattle. The results of the present study showed that bovine thelaziasis requires special attention considering its impact on cattle production and productivity.