Prevalence and Seasonal Variation of Parasitic Diseases in Dogs Presented at Small Animal Clinic of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria Between 2001 And 2005

Abstract

Abstract A retrospective study of data from clinical records at veterinary teaching hospital, university of Ibadan was undertaken to determine the prevalence and seasonal variation of parasitic diseases diagnosed in dogs, between 2001 and 2005. The data generated were analyzed demographically using descriptive statistics. Out of the 753 cases examined within the study period, helminthosis had the highest occurrence of 470 (62.4%) followed by piroplasmosis, Ticks, mange, myiasis, Erhlichiosis, intestinal protozoa, Trypanosomiasis and Dermatomycosis with 100(13.3%), 99(13.1%), 49(6.5%), 15(2%), 11(1.5%), 4(0.5%), 4(0.5%) and 1(0.1%) number of cases respectively. Based on seasons, late dry season had the highest occurrence of 213 (28.3%) followed by early dry season with 203 (27%), late rainy season with 175 (23.2%) and early rainy season with 162 (21.5%). Based on years, 2005 had the highest occurrence of 267 (35.5%) followed by 2004 with 165 (21.9%) and 2003 with 130 (17.3%). The year 2001 and 2002 had the lowest occurrence of 97 (12.9%) and 94 (12.5%) respectively. The higher prevalence during dry season could be due to the environmental stress experienced during the period which might exert a negative influence on the immune system of the host, thereby increasing the likelihood for infection. Sensitization and Education of dog owners on preventive measures is vital in curbing some of these parasitic health problems. Keywords: Parasitic diseases, season, dog, prevalence