ABSTRACT
Dogs harbour a
wide range of parasites with zoonotic potential, thus causing a health risk to
humans. In Nigeria, epidemiological knowledge on these parasites is limited
particularly in Bende, Ikwuano and Umuahia South Local Government Areas in
Abia, Nigeria. This study was carried out between December, 2016 and October,
2017 to investigate the influence of age and sex on the prevalence of zoonotic
gastrointestinal parasites of dogs, associated risk factors and best management
practices in Bende, Ikwuano and Umuahia South Local Government Areas of Abia
State. A total of four hundred and fourty dogs faecal samples were collected
from the study locations and analyzed by formol ether concentration technique
and saline wet mount method. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain
information on the knowledge, attitude and practices of dog owners regarding
zoonotic parasites of dogs. Overall prevalence of 46.8% was recorded. The
community related prevalence showed that dogs from Ikwuano had the highest
(61.0%), parasitic burden followed by Bende (39.1%) and Umuahia South (37.2%).Six
species of dogs were identified, the German shepherd 3 (60.0%) had the highest
parasitic infection, followed by Azawakh 117 (58.2%), Basenji 64 (31.8%), the
Caucasian and Rottweiler 1 (20.0%) had similar prevalence. The least infection 20
(9.9%) was Greyhound species. A total of five species of gastrointestinal
parasites of dogs were recorded in this study.The highest 90 (43.6%) parasitic
infection was Ancylostoma caninum, followed
by Toxocara canis 62 (30.1%), Dipylidium caninum 43 (20.8%), Trichuris vulpis 9 (4.3%) and the least
2 (0.9%) Isospora canis. There was no
significant difference in the overall sex-related prevalence of dogs
(P>0.05). The age group of 7-11 months had the highest (49.6%) parasitic infection,
followed by the age group of 0-6 months (47.7%) and the adult of more than 12
months (38.6%).Mixedinfection of (0.4%) was recorded in the local species.Responses
from the questionnaire showed that most (68.1%) of dogs are male, majority
(85.8%) are local dogs and only (26.1%) of dogs are between the age group of
7-11 months, very few (7.5%) of dog owners had kennels in their compounds. some
(77.9%) of dogs defecate within their house premises and grazing areas, few
(10.6%) of dog owners do disposed their dog faeces after defecation, majority
(66.4%) of dog owners are not aware of canine zoonoses, most (54.8%) of dog
owners do not take diseases transmitted by dogs seriously. Therefore, adequate
measures such as public health education, good environmental and personal
hygienic practices and regular deworming of dogs can minimize the transmission
of these parasites to humans and other intermediate hosts.
OBETEN, O (2023). Prevalence Of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Parasites Of Dogs, Associated Risk Factors And Best Management Practices In Bende, Ikwuano And Umuahia South Local Government Areas Of Abia State, Nigeria. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Dec 23, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-of-zoonotic-gastrointestinal-parasites-of-dogs-associated-risk-factors-and-best-management-practices-in-bende-ikwuano-and-umuahia-south-local-government-areas-of-abia-state-nigeria-7-2
OBETEN, OBETEN. "Prevalence Of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Parasites Of Dogs, Associated Risk Factors And Best Management Practices In Bende, Ikwuano And Umuahia South Local Government Areas Of Abia State, Nigeria" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 13 Feb. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-of-zoonotic-gastrointestinal-parasites-of-dogs-associated-risk-factors-and-best-management-practices-in-bende-ikwuano-and-umuahia-south-local-government-areas-of-abia-state-nigeria-7-2. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
OBETEN, OBETEN. "Prevalence Of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Parasites Of Dogs, Associated Risk Factors And Best Management Practices In Bende, Ikwuano And Umuahia South Local Government Areas Of Abia State, Nigeria". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 13 Feb. 2023. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-of-zoonotic-gastrointestinal-parasites-of-dogs-associated-risk-factors-and-best-management-practices-in-bende-ikwuano-and-umuahia-south-local-government-areas-of-abia-state-nigeria-7-2 >.
OBETEN, OBETEN. "Prevalence Of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Parasites Of Dogs, Associated Risk Factors And Best Management Practices In Bende, Ikwuano And Umuahia South Local Government Areas Of Abia State, Nigeria" Mouau.afribary.org (2023). Accessed 23 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/prevalence-of-zoonotic-gastrointestinal-parasites-of-dogs-associated-risk-factors-and-best-management-practices-in-bende-ikwuano-and-umuahia-south-local-government-areas-of-abia-state-nigeria-7-2