Prevalence of ectoparasites in equines of Kashmir valley

Abstract

In a study on prevalence of ectoparasites in equines, a total of 2008 equines (1288 males and 720 females), aged >3 years and <3 years were examined from different areas of Kashmir valley. Out of 2008 equines examined for ectoparasites, 423 (21.07%) were found positive for Haemaphysalis bispinosa and 347 (17.28%) were found positive for Damalinia equi. The prevalence of ticks was found to be highest on ponies (22.17%) followed by 20.85 % on mules, 12.5% on horses and 9.68% on donkeys. The prevalence of lice was also found to be highest on ponies (19.55%) followed by 10.00% on horses, 8.06% on mules and 0.00% on donkeys. Highest infection with ticks was encountered in summer season (41.93%) followed by 22.80% in spring, 19.00% in autumn and 0.20% in winter. The seasonal occurrence of lice on equines revealed highest infestation rate of 41.80% in winter followed by 20.60% in autumn, 4.40% in spring and 2.56% in summer. Average number of ticks found on donkeys was 4 followed by ponies (2.72), horses (2.5) and mules (1.98). Similarly, average number of lice found on ponies was 20.14 followed by horses (19.06) and mules (18.88). However, donkeys were not found to be infected with lice. Overall prevalence of ticks and lice was found higher on young equines (28.00% and 20.09%, respectively) as compared to adult equines (18.96% and 16.43%, respectively). Overall prevalence of ticks and lice was found to be higher on female equines (27.64% and 26.39%, respectively) as compared to male equines (17.39% and 12.19%, respectively). A total of two species of flies collected comprised of Tabanus spp. and Chrysomyia spp. Gasterophilus intestinalis eggs were also collected from ponies in Pahalgam area and the maggots belonging to Chrysomyia spp. were recovered from an injured pony in Srinagar.