Epizootiology of zoonotic parasites of dogs in Abua area of Rivers State, Nigeria

The study investigated zoonotic parasites of dogs in Abua area of Rivers State. Out of the 400 samples analysed 260(65%) were found to be positive with different parasite species. Parasite species recovered showed, Ancylostoma caninum and Strongyloides stercoralis were found in all the communities while Taenia spp. was found in only one community. There was a statistically significant difference in infection rates among the different age groups of dogs examined (X-2 = 59.79, df = 4, P = 0.000). Parasites species detected with respect to age of dogs showed that Ancylostoma caninum had the highest infection rate as it infected the three age groups of dogs in significant numbers (X-2 = 50.28, P = 0.000), followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (X-2 = 24.87, P = 0.000). Other parasites that showed significant infections across the age groups include Diphylidium caninum (X 2 = 9.63, P = 0.008) and Toxocara canis (X-2 = 6.98, P = 0.03). All the other parasites; Spirocerca Iupi, Baylisascaris procyonis, Taenia spp were not significant across the age groups. There was an overall mixed infection of 51(19.62%) of which 22 (8.46%) samples had mix infection of two parasite species of Ancylostoma caninum and Strongyloides stercoralis, 12 (4.62%) had Ancylostoma caninum and Diphylidium caninum, while 1(0.34%) with Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum. A mix infection of three parasite species was 6.15% comprising Ancylostoma caninum, Strongyloides stercoralis and Diphylidium caninum was recorded. In conclusion, Prevalence of zoonotic parasites of dogs in Abua was high. So, there is an urgent need for education of dog owners in the area to reduce this high infection rate and to reduce the danger of transmission of these infections to human as a result of ignorance on the part of the dog owners.