The Prevalence of Ticks Infestation of Dogs in Runjin Sambo Area of Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

Ticks are still considered a major cause of zoonotic diseases most especially to dogs and other related animals. This study was conducted to assess the ticks infestation of dogs in Runjin Sambo area Sokoto. The sample was collected using hand picking and hair brushing method with the assistance of dog owners. A total of sixty dogs were randomly selected in four different sub areas in Runjin Sambo. The locality, sex and age of the dogs were noted. The ticks species were identified in the entomology laboratory using key devices. Four species of ticks namely, Amlyomma variegatum, Rhipicephalus pulchellus, Boophilus decolaratus and Hyalomma excavatum were identified. The 45 (75%) of dogs were found infected with prevalence of 11.67%, 21.67%, 25.00% and 16.67% in the four sub-areas respectively. The prevalence rate of infection was 31.67% in male dogs and 43.33% in female dogs. Similarly 55.00% and 20.00% in adult and puppy dogs respectively. Tick infestation of dogs seems to be due to poor and unhygienic condition of the dogs and can be reduced by proper sanitation, improve hygiene and health education.

Surveillance of ectoparasite of dogs in the State of Tripura

“…Workers from abroad such as Hadi et al (2016) [7] from Indonesia also recorded higher prevalence in male than female dogs. On contrary Chander et al (2020) [4] from Bikaner, Rajasthan reported higher prevalence in female dogs (68%) than in male dogs (32%) and Lema et al (2020) [16] from Nigeria also revealed prevalence rate was in males (31.67%) and the females (43.33%). The significantly higher proportion of ectoparasitic infestation in male may be due to hormonal factors which predispose male dog more susceptible to ectoparasite infection (Sahu et al, 2013) [23] .…”

“…According to Sahu et al (2013) [23] , Rhipicephalus sanguineus is the most frequent species of tick to parasitize dogs in India, followed by Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Rhipicephalus microplus, Haemaphysalis longicornis, and Haemaphysalis bispinosa (Augustine et al, 2017) [3] . Ticks can spread bacteria, rickettsiae, viruses, and protozoa, including tick-borne encephalitis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, tularemia, Q fever, Babesiosis, Hepatozoonosis (Lema, 2020) [16] . Dogs typically have fleas of the species Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis, Pulexirritans, and Echidnophaga gallinacea (from poultry), which are considered to be moderately specific (Wall and Shearer, 2001) [30] .…”