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Ectoparasites of dogs (Canis familiaris) from northeastern Nigeria: an epidemiological study

  • Arthropods and Medical Entomology - Short Communication
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Abstract

Ectoparasites of dogs represent an important group of parasites. They often suck blood, cause pruritis, and could serve as vectors of many pathogens of veterinary and public health importance. In northeastern Nigeria, there is a lack of data regarding ectoparasites of dogs. Therefore, this study was undertaken to explore the external parasites of dogs and the associated epidemiological risk factors. A total of 1041 dogs (mean age = 8.5 ± 2.1 months) from residential house visit (54.9%) and those attending veterinary clinic (45.1%) were sampled in northeastern Nigeria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed epidemiological risk factors associated with canine ectoparasitic infections. Of the 1041 dogs screened, 92.5% (963/1047) harbored one or more ectoparasites. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (52.4%), Linognathus setosus (7.8%), Ctenocephalides canis (2.3%), and Otodectes cynotis canis (1.4%) were the significantly encountered tick, lice, fleas, and mite species, respectively. Being female dog (OR = 1.8; p = 0.01), cross (OR = 2.2; p = 0.029), and exotic breeds (OR = 2.4; p = 0.02), < 7 months (OR = 3.1; p = 0.04) and 7–12 months (OR = 2.1; p = 0.01) aged dogs as well as rainy season (OR = 1.9; p = 0.02) were strong predictors for tick infestation. Similarly, cross (OR = 7.2; p = 0.001) and local breeds (OR = 2.8; p = 0.0001), dogs aged > 12 months (OR = 2.5; p = 0.03), and dogs used for hunting (OR = 3.2; p = 0.01) and as security guards (OR = 3.8; p = 0.01) were strongly associated with lice infestation. Results from this study revealed a high prevalence of external parasites parasitizing majority of the sampled dogs. Some of these parasites may serve as vectors of zoonotic pathogens posing public health risks.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate efforts of the dog owners as well as the Para-veterinary staff of both the Pantami and Dukku veterinary clinics for restraining of dogs and assisting with sampling as well as the entire technical staff of the microbiology and entomology diagnostic laboratory of the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau state, North central Nigeria. The authors also wish to express gratitude to the ministry of Animal husbandry and nomadic affairs, Gombe state, for providing the necessary resources and funding to carry out this study.

Funding

This project was funded by the Gombe state ministry of Animal husbandry and nomadic affairs, Nigeria. The funding body did not influence the preparation, results interpretation, and subsequent revision of the manuscript for publication.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

    Saleh Mohammed Jajere

  2. Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

    Jallailudeen Rabana Lawal

  3. Department of Theriogenology and Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, PMB 2254, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria

    Aminu Shittu

  4. Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Nomadic Affairs, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria

    Ibrahim Waziri

  5. Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kota Bharu, 16100, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Mohammed Dauda Goni

  6. FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases, United Nations Office in Nairobi, Nairobi, Gigiri, Kenya

    Folorunso Oludayo Fasina

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  1. Saleh Mohammed Jajere
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  2. Jallailudeen Rabana Lawal
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Correspondence to Saleh Mohammed Jajere.

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Jajere, S.M., Lawal, J.R., Shittu, A. et al. Ectoparasites of dogs (Canis familiaris) from northeastern Nigeria: an epidemiological study. Parasitol Res 122, 675–684 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-022-07748-5

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