Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ectoparasites on dogs in northeastern Nigeria and risk factors
By Jajere, Saleh Mohammed et al.·Published in Parasitology research·2023·Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ectoparasites of dogs (Canis familiaris) from northeastern Nigeria: an epidemiological study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A large group of dogs in northeastern Nigeria were found to have high rates of external parasites, with 92.5% of them infested. The most common parasites included ticks, lice, fleas, and mites, which can cause itching and discomfort. Factors like being a female dog, being under a year old, and certain breeds were linked to higher chances of infestation. The study highlighted that these parasites not only affect the dogs' health but could also pose risks to human health. Regular check-ups and preventive treatments are important to keep pets safe from these parasites.
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Abstract
Ectoparasites of dogs represent an important group of parasites. They often suck blood, cause pruritis, and could serve as vectors of many pathogens of veterinary and public health importance. In northeastern Nigeria, there is a lack of data regarding ectoparasites of dogs. Therefore, this study was undertaken to explore the external parasites of dogs and the associated epidemiological risk factors. A total of 1041 dogs (mean age = 8.5 ± 2.1 months) from residential house visit (54.9%) and those attending veterinary clinic (45.1%) were sampled in northeastern Nigeria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed epidemiological risk factors associated with canine ectoparasitic infections. Of the 1041 dogs screened, 92.5% (963/1047) harbored one or more ectoparasites. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (52.4%), Linognathus setosus (7.8%), Ctenocephalides canis (2.3%), and Otodectes cynotis canis (1.4%) were the significantly encountered tick, lice, fleas, and mite species, respectively. Being female dog (OR = 1.8; p = 0.01), cross (OR = 2.2; p = 0.029), and exotic breeds (OR = 2.4; p = 0.02), < 7 months (OR = 3.1; p = 0.04) and 7-12 months (OR = 2.1; p = 0.01) aged dogs as well as rainy season (OR = 1.9; p = 0.02) were strong predictors for tick infestation. Similarly, cross (OR = 7.2; p = 0.001) and local breeds (OR = 2.8; p = 0.0001), dogs aged > 12 months (OR = 2.5; p = 0.03), and dogs used for hunting (OR = 3.2; p = 0.01) and as security guards (OR = 3.8; p = 0.01) were strongly associated with lice infestation. Results from this study revealed a high prevalence of external parasites parasitizing majority of the sampled dogs. Some of these parasites may serve as vectors of zoonotic pathogens posing public health risks.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36504395/