A survey on intestinal nematodes of dogs in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of intestinal nematodes of dogs in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria, faecal samples from two hundred household dogs and fifty gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) from dogs slaughtering houses were collected and analyzed using standard parasitological methods of diagnosis. Out of the two hundred and fifty dogs examined, 195 (78.0%) were infected with different species of intestinal nematodes, of which 176 (90.3%) were positive for single infection. Mixed infections with two or more species of nematode parasite were identified on 19 (9.7%) dogs. The species of nematode parasites identified were; Ancylostoma caninum (55.4%), Toxocara canis (23.6%), Trichuris vulpis (9.2%) and Toxascaris leonina (2.1%). The prevalence was significantly higher in male dogs (57.4%) than females (42.6) (P<0.05). Puppies (< 37 months) had significantly higher prevalence (80.8%) than the older ones (19.2%) P<0.05. The prevalence in relation to breeds of dogs recorded on local, cross and exotic were 78.7, 58.9 and 41.7%, respectively (P<0.05). The study discovered that most individuals are not aware of helminthic zoonosis associated with dogs, hence the poor hygiene practice in kernels and lack of proper veterinary attention to dogs. Hence, the need for public health enlightenment on the zoonotic potentials of dogs used as pet or hunting. Key words: Intestinal nematodes, prevalence, dogs, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.