Abstract:
Udder is a predilection site for tick infestation in cows and heifers, ticks infest udder and teats of cattle leaving behind lesions which predispose cattle to mastitis hence affecting milk yield and impacting negatively on the growth of calves. Therefore, the cross sectional study Was conducted in four parishes of Arapai Sub County to find out thelevel of tick burden and its impact on cattle production with specific focus on udder and teat lesions of cows and heifers from selected smallholder cattle herds. The data was collected by counting ticks on 246 cows and heifers infested with ticks purposively sampled and inspected for udder and teat lesions. The results were analyzed using Microsoft excel 2007 and SPSS. Atotal of two tick genera were identified by visual and manualinspection, which includes Rhipicephalus, and Amblyomma of which, Rhipicephalusn appendiculatus was found to. be the most prevalent species with 63.8% and Amblyomma variegatum with 31.2% while Rhipicephalus decoloratus was least prevalent species with 5.0%. 0f the 246 cow and heifers sampled 83% had tick burden with higher level being recorded in those kept under communal grazing 56% and 39% of the total cattle population sampled had some degree of udder and teat lesions respectively. The high level of tick burden in cattle kept by small holder farmers especially in communal herds is ideal for establish mentofendemic stability to various TBDs.On the other hand, high level of tick burden especially of the Amblyomma SPP can result in to udder and teat lesions hence affecting cow's health and milk yield, However, limited scope of awareness regarding impact of ticks, lack of adequate functional veterinary infrastructure and absence of tick control strategy are the major factors for existence of widespread ticks in the area. For that reason, educating farmers on appropriate animal husbandry especially regarding to tick control anti creating awareness on tick epidemiology would be imperative to minimize the effect of ticks-and ultimately improve the productivity of cattle in the area and peoples living standard.
