A comparative Prevalence of Lice Infesting Ruminants in Mosul City, Iraq

The study aimed to evaluate prevalence data risk factors from January to December 2022. Total infestation rates higher in goats 57.02% and in buffaloes 54.06% with no significant differences followed by sheep 50.43% and the lowest rate was recorded in cattle 40.37% with significant differences. The highest infestation rate in winter was 60%, 56%and 79% recorded in sheep cattle and buffaloes respectively while the lowest infestation rates 40%, 22.22% and 43.64% in the same animals respectively in summer compared with goats recorded the highest rate 65% at p≤ 0.05. Sheep and cattle recorded no significant infestation rates between age groups compared with goats and buffaloes which recorded higher infestation rates in age group more than 3 years old 71.76% and 64.09% respectively. Results of sheep, goats and buffaloes recorded that females were more infested than males 68.97%, 76.60% and 61% respectively compared with cattle 66.66% in males. Higher infestation rate 55.71% indoor feeding system in sheep compared with goats which recorded 69.16% in outdoor feeding system. The highest infestation rate was in Al-Shura 55% and the lowest in Nineveh Plain 40%; in goats the highest infestation was in Bazwaya 88.33% and the lowest was 47.3% in Gojjali 47.3%, in cattle the highest infestation rate was in Izhilila 50% and the lowest in Orta Kharab 25%, while in buffaloes the highest infestation rate was recorded in Hawy Al maslagh 80% and the lowest was 36% in Hammam Al-Alil (Tomb of the slave). The study identified two lice species in sheep Linognathus spp. and Damalina ovis, while in goats; Linognathus spp. and Damalina capri. Lice species Damalina bovis was recorded in cattle while Haematopinus tuberculatus was recorded in buffalo. [AJVS 2024; 17(2.000): 71-79]