Host-related factors affecting the occurrence of tick on dogs in Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, is an important island remnant of Atlantic Forest and presents four conservation units. Although dogs are forbidden inside conservation units, in Ilha Grande they are present in all villages, many of them are bred loose, interacting with the tourists, the surrounding forest, and the wild animals. The entry of dogs into forests and encounters with wild animals can promote the exchange of parasites such as ticks and their associated pathogens. We sought to survey the tick fauna of dogs and verify whether host-related factors, as well as localities, and street access are associated with the presence of ticks. We sampled 11 villages, totalling 388 dogs. Ticks were collected off 118 dogs. The most prevalent tick was Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato accounting for 28.87% of tick individuals. Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma dubitatum were present on seven and one dog, respectively. Dogs with street access, bad body condition, medium and large size, and without defined breed showed a higher occurrence of R. sanguineus s.l. Although we observed dogs on trails, within the forest, and the owners themselves indicated a strong relationship of dogs with the forest, we found a low prevalence of ticks associated with wild animals.