Prevalence and risk factors of ectoparasites in small ruminants in and around Haramaya University, eastern Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Infestation by external parasites causes mortality, decreased productivity and financial loss in the animal exports. A cross sectional study was conducted from November, 2016 to April, 2017 in and around Haramaya University, Eastern Oromia region, Ethiopia to determine the prevalence, host risk factors and identify ectoparasites on small ruminants. Accordingly, a total of 384 small ruminants (190 sheep, and 194 goats) were randomly selected and examined for the presence of ectoparasites. Then, samples of ectoparasites were collected manually and put in clean universal bottles containing 70% ethanol. The samples were transported to the Haramaya University Veterinary Parasitology laboratory and identified to genus/species level under stereomicroscope. The overall prevalence of ectoparasites was 98% (sheep 55.8% and goats 42.2%), and the major identified ectoparasites were ticks 80 (20.8%), lice 78 (20.3%) and fleas 70 (7.8%). The genus/species of the identified ectoparasites were lice ( Damalina ovis , 12.8% and Linognathus stenopsis , 7.5%), fleas ( Ctenocephalus , 7.8), ticks ( Ambyloma variegatum , 6.8%, Boophilus decoloratus , 9.4%, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi , 2.9% and Hyalomma truncatum , 1.8%). Host risk factors such as sex, species, breed, body condition score and physiological status (pregnancy) were significantly associated (p<0.05) with the overall prevalence of ectoparasites in small ruminants. According to this study, there was high prevalence of ectoparasites in small ruminants of the study area. Therefore, to minimize this high prevalence of ectoparasites in small ruminants and their impacts, appropriate and strategic control measures are paramount important. Keywords: Ectoparasites; Haramaya University; Prevalence; Risk factors; Small Ruminants