One of the most common ectoparasites on domestic carnivores are fleas from the genus Ctenocephalides. This group of blood sucking insects are one of the most important in medical and veterinary terms, as they can serve as carriers of dangerous infectious and may cause other invasive diseases. Research studies have established a variety of fleas and other contagions parasitizing domestic dogs in Poltava, Ukraine. Certain peculiarities of these ectoparasitic studies, as a part of mixed infestations of dogs, have recently been determined. The results of the studies have shown that the species composition of the fleas was represented by two main species. The dominant species was Ct. felis, and their prevalence was 36.05 %. Another species (Ct. canis) was diagnosed less often and had a prevalence of 27.94 %. It was found that in 31.18 % of the dogs, the blood-sucking insects were mostly parasitizing in the form of an associations with: nematoda (Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Uncinaria stenocephala), Cestoda (Dipylidium caninum), protozoa (Cystoisospora canis), and another ectoparasite (Trichodectes canis). Overall, 33 types of mixed infestations were detected. Moreover, the number of different parasitic species in each dog ranged from one to seven. Fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides (in the composition of two species of parasites) were registered the most often (14.60 %). The infestation of dogs with other forms of mixed infestations was 0.69—8.01 %. The most frequent co-members for Ct. felis were Cestoda [D. caninum (13.47 %)], for Ct. canis—Cestoda [D. caninum (11.23 %)] and Nematoda [T. vulpis (8.29 %)].
The ectoparasites Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis are distributed worldwide and are the most common species of fleas that parasitize domestic carnivores. As active vectors of infectious and invasive diseases, fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides are of great epidemiological importance. Intensive growth of the number of dogs, violation of sanitary and hygienic conditions of their keeping, especially in large cities, as well as global warming significantly affect the epizootic situation regarding ctenocephalidosis. The aim of the work was to study the features of age susceptibility of domestic dogs in the city of Poltava (Ukraine) to Ctenocephalides spp. Indicators of infestation of animals with the causative agent of ctenocephalidosis depending on their age and housing conditions were determined. Studies have shown that dogs of any age are prone to flea infestation. Ctenocephalidosis is diagnosed in animals of all ages. At the same time, the age dynamics of defeat of dogs by parasitic insects under different conditions of their keeping differed significantly. The average extensity and intensity of the invasion was lower in animals kept in apartments (26.47 %, 10.82 specimens/head) compared to animals kept in the private sector (76.21 %, 22.71 specimens/head). The highest rates of flea infestation of the genus Ctenocephalides were found in dogs aged one to six years (37.10–45.45 %; 10.45–15.91 specimens/head) – for housing, as well as in young animals up to 12 month of age (84.03–90.36 %; 22.78–32.56 specimens/head) – for aviary maintenance. Less infested were dogs under 6 months of age (11.26 %; 5.43 specimens/head) and older 6-year-olds (16.28 %; 8.54 specimens/head) – for housing, as well as dogs aged one to six years (53.54–75.38 %; 11.63–20.24 specimens/head) – for aviary keeping. The results obtained regarding the age dynamics of infestation of domestic dogs with fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides can be taken into account when carrying out measures to control and prevent ctenocephalidosis in dogs under different conditions of their content.
One of the most common ectoparasitic diseases of domestic carnivorous animals is ctenocephalidosis caused by fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides. The peculiarity of this invasion is a chronic course associated with the constant attack of parasitic insects on the animal, accompanied by severe itching, the occurrence of alopecia, the development of eczema, dermatitis and the subsequent introduction of pathogenic microflora into the damaged tissue. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides on the biochemical parameters of the blood serum of invaded dogs. Three groups of animals were formed: a control (clinically healthy dog) and two experimental animals (infected by the parasitic insect Ctenocephalides spp.) with different intrusion rates. In blood serum determined: the content of total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, creatinine, urea, glucose, cholesterol, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, alanine aminotransferase activity, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphate. Conducted studies found that rates the intensity of infestation significantly influence the changes that occur in blood serum infested dogs. The intensity of ctenocephalidosic infestation of up to 15 specimens of fleas in the animal in their blood serum showed a significant decrease in albumin content (by 22.37 %) compared to that in clinically healthy dogs. The intensities of xenophalphalous infestation of 16–47 specimens of fleas per animal in the serum of the infected animals showed a significant decrease in albumin (by 29.28 %), glucose (by 25.29 %), and cholesterol (by 35.59 %) relative to similar indicators clinically healthy animals. At the same time in the serum of the infested dogs the content of total bilirubin (by 15.73 %), as well as the activity of alanine aminotransferase (1.4 times), aspartate aminotransferase (1.4 times) and alkaline phosphatase (2 times). The results of the experimental data extend the already existing data on the pathogenesis of fleas parasites in dogs, and will also allow the effective treatment of diseased animals.
Fleas are the common name of the order Siphonaptera, obligate provisional nidiculous parasites of mammals and, to a lesser extent, birds, which can also feed on humans. Fleas can cause ctenocephalidosis of dogs and are carriers of many dangerous infectious and invasive diseases. Their ability to use humans as an alternative host determines the importance of these parasites in health care. Therefore, the aim of the work was to establish morphological and metric characters of adult male and female fleas of the species Ctenocephalides felis Bouche, 1835 and C. canis Curtis, 1826, isolated from domestic dogs for species identification. Morphological studies of fleas have shown that the differential features of C. felis and C. canis include the shape of the head and anterior-dorsal cuticular notch on the head. Notably, male fleas of both species have a more rounded forehead than female fleas. The metric parameters of adult fleas can be used as additional identification features, which will increase the efficiency of differential diagnosis of parasitic insects. We found differences in male fleas by 23 parameters, of which the value of 17 parameters were smaller in C. canis specimens. Males of C. felis were 9.1–21.1% larger in total body length, lengths of head and thorax, as well as lengths of mesothorax and metathorax. Differential features included size of the teeth of the main ctenidium and pronotal ctenidium: in C. felis males all eight teeth of the main ctenidium, located on the left side, were longer by 12.7–41.7%, and the first, seventh, eighth teeth were wider by 25.4–43.0% than in C. canis. In female fleas, differences were found for 24 metric parameters, of which the values of 20 parameters were also smaller in C. canis specimens. Females of C. felis were 12.1–22.2% larger in terms of total body length, head, breast, prothorax, mesothorax, and metathorax. All their teeth of the main ctenidium were longer by 5.6–40.6%, and the first, second, third, and eighth teeth were 18.1–48.9% wider than in females of C. canis. The obtained results add to the already existing data on morphometric features of adult fleas of C. felis and C. canis species, and will allow timely and accurate diagnosis of ctenocephalidosis in dogs caused by parasites of these species.