Prevalence of Gastroıntestınal Helmınth Parasıtes (GIHP) of dogs presented at the Unıversıty of Nıgerıa Veterınary Teachıng Hospıtal (UNVTH) between 1994-2002

Abstract

Records of 908 and 739 dogs investigated for Gastro-intestinal Helminth Parasite (GIHP) at the University of Nigeria Veterinary Teaching Hospital, UNVTH for the periods 1994-2002 and 1985-1993 respectively were studied to determine the type of GIHP commonly encountered, the influence of Age, Season, Sex, Breed, Environment (Residence) and Study Time Interval on their prevalence. Ancylostoma caninum, Toxocara canis and Dipylidium caninum accounted for 135 (14.87%), 67 (7.38%) and 17 (1.87%) respectively between 1994-2002 187 (25.30%), 104 (14.07%) and 77 (10.42%) respectively between 1985-1993. There was a strong association between the age-group, breed, study time interval and environment (residence) respectively with the Prevalence while the variation in sex and season was not significant (P>0.05). The Public Health importance of these GIHP of dogs are discussed and recommendations to facilitate similar retrospective studies are made.

KEY WORDS: Gastrointestinal, Helminths, Dog, Ancylostoma, Toxocara, Dipylidium

Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol.25(1) 2004: 21-25