Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections of dog in Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections of dog in Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria was studied retrospectively and prospectively. In the retrospective study, records of all diagnosed helminth infections of dogs brought to the University of Nigeria Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Nsukka from January, 2006 to September 2013 were collated and analyzed. The prospective study was carried out between October 2013 and July 2014 by examination of 263 faecal samples collected per rectum from dogs presented to a purposively selected Veterinary Clinics in Enugu metropolis and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The results of the 8 year retrospective prevalence study gave an overall prevalence of 56.1% and Ancylostoma species as the most prevalent helminth in the study area (33.2%). Mixed infections with more than one helminth parasite species were recorded in 8.6% of the cases. Annual breakdown of the prevalence data showed that the highest prevalence was recorded in 2009. Breed and age of the dogs were found to significantly influence the prevalence. In the prospective study, an overall prevalence of 51.7% was obtained. Ancylostoma spp. was also found most often in the study area, with a prevalence rate of 33.6%. Mixed infections with more than one helminth parasite species were found in 16.3% of the cases. A strong association was obtained between prevalence and breed of the dogs and also between prevalence and season. Due to the zoonotic nature of most of the encountered parasites and the close association between children and dogs, routine deworming, proper management of dogs and adequate personal hygiene is therefore recommended.

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“…Contrary to the finding of this study, sex of host animals had been reported to significantly influenced prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites [24], In few studies, female dogs are likely to contract intestinal parasites than male dogs [23,26], This had been linked to the physiological peculiarities of female dogs that constitute stress factors and thus reduce their immunity to infections [24], Commonly, feed brands are risk factor reported to be associated with occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs [20]. In this study, no association of gastrointestinal parasites with feed brands has been established.…”

“…In Nigeria, only a few studies on the assessment of gastrointestinal parasites among exotic kenneled dogs have been carried out [23,24], Commonly, these base line data revealed low prevalence such as 12.3% in Ibadan [25], in Jos 7.68% [23], and 11.4% in Enugu [26], Conversely, these researches were conducted among local dogs and comparatively few samples of exotic dogs which might have influenced the statistical power of the analysis. In most of the studies, a wide variation in prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites exists among the local dogs.…”

Canine helminthiases and associated risk factors in Kigali city, Rwanda

“…Similar to previous studies, this study found that dog's age is significantly associated with the prevalence of helminthiases [16,17,18]. In addition, it is consistent with the research by Neves et al [18] and Idika et al [23] who found that dog's sex and breed did not statistically influence the prevalence of helminthiases. Furthermore, Awadallah and Salem [24] and Abere et al [14] found that feeding practices did not impact on the prevalence of canine helminthiases in Egypt and Ethiopia.…”

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and community awareness about zoonotic diseases in Chagni town, northwestern Ethiopia

“…The study was conducted on stray dogs at chagni town using cross-sectional study design. Sample size was determined based on studies conducted previously (Amissah-Reynolds et al, 2016;Idika et al, 2017;Kiflu et al, 2016;Israel, 1992). Fecal sample collection and questionnaire were the methods used.…”