Ectoparasites of dogs and cats in Albania

Abstract

One hundred eighty-one dogs and 26 short-hair cats from suburban areas around Tirana, Albania were examined for ectoparasite infestation. The dogs were examined on several occasions from 2005 through 2009 representing three seasons: winter (December-February), spring (March-May), and summer (June-August); the cats were examined in late autumn (November). In addition, deep ear swab specimens of 30 dogs were examined for ear mites. The arthropod ectoparasite fauna of the dogs included two tick species (Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ixodes ricinus), three mite species (Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis, Otodectes cynotis, and Demodex canis), three flea species (Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, and Pulex irritans), and one louse species (Trichodectes canis). In the dogs, rates of infestation were 23.8% for R. sanguineus, 0.6% for I. ricinus, 4.4% for S. scabiei var. canis, 6.7% for O. cynotis, 0.6% for D. canis, 75.7% for C. canis, 5.0% for C. felis, 8.3% for P. irritans, and 6.6% for T. canis. Mixed infestation with two or three species of ectoparasites was recorded on 38.1% of the dogs. Fleas infested 75.7% dogs (geometric mean, 3.96; range, 1-80) and were observed in winter, spring, and summer with increasing prevalences of 64.3%, 75.9%, and 100%. Ticks parasitized 24.3% of the dogs (geometric mean, 0.41; range, 1-331). R. sanguineus ticks were recorded on 34.2% and 50% of the dogs examined in spring and summer, respectively, but were absent on the dogs during winter except for a single I. ricinus specimen observed. Prevalence of infestation with R. sanguineus, S. scabiei var. canis, C. felis, P. irritans, and T. canis did not differ between dogs< or = 6 months and dogs > 6 months of age; however, prevalence of infestation with C. canis was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in dogs > 6 months old. There was no difference between the sexes for the prevalences of infestation with those parasites. The examination of the cats revealed infestation with only one species of ectoparasite, C. felis (prevalence, 100%; geometric mean, 2.5; range, 1-9).

A survey of ectoparasite infestation in dogs in Tehran, Iran

“…In detail, ticks were collected more frequently in spring and summer, fleas in autumn and mites in winter. These findings are similar to what was observed by other investigators in other countries (GONZÁLEZ et al, 2004;BECK et al, 2006;RINALDI et al, 2007;GRACIA et al, 2008;XHAXHIU et al, 2009). Ectoparasites require optimum temperature and humidity for growth, development, reproduction and survival, as well as access to food SHEARER, 2001).…”

A survey on endoparasites and ectoparasites of stray cats from Mashhad (Iran) and association with risk factors

“…To the best of our knowledge, there is no specific data regarding infestation of cats with ticks from Iran. However, infestation of cats by Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes hexagonus, Ixodes canisuga, Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus is reported from other countries of the world (Akucewich et al 2002;Nijhof et al 2007;Xhaxhiu et al 2009;Mendes-de-Almeida et al 2010).…”

Ectoparasites of dogs in home environments on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica

“…Although most of these ectoparasites are considered to be cosmopolitan, many species show differences in prevalence depending on the particular geographical area. For instance, C. canis is frequently found on dogs in European countries and in some areas of South America (GONZÁLEZ et al, 2004;XHAXHIU et al, 2009), although it can be rare in other countries. A similar scenario can be depicted for specific populations of other fleas, lice and ticks.…”