PREVALENCE OF BLOOD PARASITES IN DOGS IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Investigation on the prevalence of blood parasites in dogs (Canis familiaris)in Sublime canine dog farm at BDPA and Vetcare Consult Veterinary Clinic, 23 Airport at Vegetable market Road, Benin City, Nigeria was conducted between September and October 2019. Blood samples were collected from 65 dogs which included 33 males and 32 females. The samples were processed using Giemsa stained thin smear technique and then examined for blood parasites. The overall prevalence of blood parasites in this study was recorded as 96.9%. Dogs infected with multiple parasite species (97%) was more common than those with a single parasite species (3%). Seven different breeds of dogs were examined in this study (Boerboel, Rottweiler, Samoyed, Lhasa-apso, German shepherd/Alsatian, Cane-corso, and mixed in which the mixed breed was a combination of Rottweiler and Bull mastif). Twenty percent of the dog owners kept the dogs as pet, while 70% kept dogs for security reasons and 10% kept the dogs for both security and as a pet. The prevalence for various blood parasites observed were Babesia canis (52.3%), Ehrlichia canis (78.5%), Dirofilaria immitis (64.6%), Dipetalonema reconditum (50.8%), and Trypanosoma evansi (9.2%). There was no significant difference in prevalence found between males and females dogs, also the age of dogs was not found be a significant factor with the prevalence of the infection (p<0.05). Most of the dogs examined were already having the symptoms of infection of blood parasites such as coughing, fever, loss of appetite, etc. This study has recommended early treatment and prevention of these blood parasites in dogs to prevent transmission to man and other dogs in the vicinity where they live.