Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Domestic Dogs in Oye and Ikole Local Governmnt Areas of Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic dogs (GITs) in Oye and Ikole Local Government Areas of Ekiti state, Nigeria. Feacal samples (50), were collected from each of the two LGA and analyzed using sheater sugar floatation technique. In Oye LGA, different GITs  detected were Toxocara canis 14.0% (7/50); Ancylostoma sp, 2.0% (1/50); Blastocystis sp, 2.0% (1/50); Fasciola sp, 2.0% (1/50), Strongyloides 24.0% (2/50), Isospora sp 2.0% (1/50) and Opisthorchis sp, 2.0% (1/50), having a total prevalence percentage of 28.0% (14/50) which is not statistically significant. Moreover, in Ikole LG, multiple GITs were observed which includes Toxocara canis 12.0% (6/50); Cryptosporidium sp, 4.0% (2/50); Strongyloides sp, 8.0% (4/50); Moniezia 2.0% (1/50), and Giardia sp 2.0% (1/50). Out of the gastrointestinal parasites detected, Toxicara canis and Strongyloides has the highest prevalent percentage of 32.0% (16/50). For multiple infection, 44.0% (22/50) was found in Oye LGA whereas 40.0% (20/50) was detected in Ikole LGA. In respect to male and female domestic dogs, the prevalence percentage of infection in both sexes was 34.0% (17/50) with female having the higher prevalence of infection,  although the difference is not statistically significant X² 29.203, p>0.05. Going by the age of the domestic dogs assessed, the result detected higher prevalence of infection in puppies and young adults compared to other  age categories X² 21.181 , p>0.05. Therefore the study suggested consistent awareness proper hygiene practice as well as routine vaccination so as to prevent further spread of domestic dog related diseases.