Abstract
In Nigeria, knowledge on the epidemiology of diseases of dogs is limited. A retrospective study of data from clinical records of six veterinary clinics was undertaken to determine the incidence of disease in owned dogs in Delta State, Nigeria from 2012 to 2014. Association between the diagnosed diseases and the studied variables was explored using Chi-Squared test statistics. This study revealed that most of the conditions presented to the veterinary clinics were preventable. Thirty-one (31) clinical conditions were diagnosed from 571 cases recorded, involving nonspecific (21.6%), infectious (70.9%; P=0.001) and non-infectious (7.5%) diseases. The most occurring clinical conditions comprised helminthoses (21.4%), mange (10.5%), parvovirosis (8.4%), babesiosis (7.9%), septicemia (7.2%), gastroenteritis (7.0%), myiasis (7.0%), trauma (6.3%), poisoning (6.0%), ectoparasitism (3.7%), ascites (2.5%), dermatitis (2.3%), aural hematoma (1.2%), and orchitis (1.1%). Disease incidence was highest in Alsatian (40.3%), mixed/cross (33.1%), Rottweiler (7.0%) and toy breeds (4.6%). Details on the least occurring diseases and the association between disease and the studied variables are given. The outcomes demonstrate the prevalence of the clinical conditions diagnosed, inadequate husbandry and veterinary care accorded to owned dogs in the State. Education of dog owners on preventive measures is paramount in alleviating some of these health problems.
Highlights
Dogs are one of the most important domestic animals seen in almost every human settlement globally
This study has highlighted the most common clinical conditions of owned dogs presenting to veterinary clinics in Delta State, Nigeria
This indicates that infections caused by pathogens are the major cause of disease in owned dogs with helminthoses (21.4%), mange (10.5%), parvovirosis (8.4%), babesiosis (7.9%), septicemia (7.2%), myiasis (7.0%), ectoparasitism (3.7%) and orchitis (1.1%) ranking as the most prevalent diseases
Summary
Dogs are one of the most important domestic animals seen in almost every human settlement globally. They are kept to perform valuable roles in the society. In Nigeria, people keep them as pets, guard dogs, for hunting, breeding, as well as a source of animal protein among some ethnic groups (Aiyedun and Olugasa, 2012; Hambolu et al, 2014). In Delta State, they are kept mostly by households as pets, guard dogs, hunting, as a source of livelihood or commercial gains by breeders, and by companies to assist in facility surveillance, while some group of individuals in the State cherishes dog meat as a delicacy. Dog keeping is associated with certain responsibilities including the provision of shelter, nutrition, good health care, disease management, as well as protecting humans from zoonotic diseases associated with it (Craig and MacPherson, 2000)
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