Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Lice in Sheep and Goats in Mosul City- Iraq

Alneema, Mostafa Salim; ALhayali, Nadia

doi:10.21608/ejvs.2024.289022.2083

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Lice in Sheep and Goats in Mosul City- Iraq

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of microbiology, college of veterinary medicine, university of Mosul

² Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mosul, Mosul-Iraq.

10.21608/ejvs.2024.289022.2083

Abstract

Pediculosis is considered one of the most significant veterinary parasitic diseases causing economic losses. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors of lice in sheep and goats. This study was applied in a period from January 2022 to December 2022. A total of 1170 sheep and 470 goats were examined. The total infestation rates of the examined animals were higher in goats (57.02%) than in sheep (50.43%). The predominant species infesting sheep were Linognathus spp. and Damalina ovis (D. ovis), while in goats were Linognathus stenopsis (L. stenopsis) and Damalina capri (D. capri). Sheep were highly infested with D. ovis (76.2%) followed by Linognathus spp. (16.9%) and the mixed infestation was 6.7%. Linognathus spp. in goats was 78.3% and D. capri was 14.1% while mixed infestation was 7.4%. In sheep, the highest infestation rate was recorded during winter months (60%), while the lowest infestation rate was recorded during autumn months (40%). No significant differences regarding age, local and foreign breeds were recorded. There was a significant difference in the infestation rate between males (32.2%) and females (68.97%). The highest infestation rate was (55%) in Al-Shura; while the lowest rate was recorded in Nineveh Plain (40%). Regarding feeding system, the highest infestation rate was (55.71%) for indoor feeding. Concerning goats, the infestation rate was high during the summer months (65%), while the lowest infestation rate was recorded in the spring months (50%). Age groups more than 3 years recorded 71.76% infestation rate compared with groups less than 3 years (39.53%). The optimum recorded infestation rate is (76.6%) in female groups compared with (37.45%) in male groups. The infestation rate was significant in local breeds (64%) compared with foreign breeds. Bazwaya area was the highest infested locality (88.33%). Outdoor feeding recorded (69.16%) compared with (52.5%) for outdoor feeding. Clinical examination of ruminants’ skin revealed the presence of lice accompanied by their eggs on the skin of highly infested goats showing hair damaged and hair fall spots due to heavy infestation. This study showed that lice are the predominant ectoparasite infesting sheep and goats causing skin damage and consequently severe economic losses.

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