Zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs: A community prevalence study in delta state, Nigeria

This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Obiaruku community and its environs of Delta State, Nigeria.A total number of 110 dogs were examined in the different quarters (Ghana Quarters and Izu Quarters) using saline wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques.The study recorded 39.1% prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in the study area.The prevalence studies per community show that Izu quarters had the highest prevalence of 27 (39.7%),while Ghana Quarters had the least prevalence 16 (38.1%).The species-specific prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs examined in different communities in Obiaruku showed that the highest 16 (59.2%)parasitic infection was Ancylostoma caninum, followed by Dipylidium caninum 6 (22.2%),Toxocara canis 4 (14.8%) and the least 1 (3.7%) was Trichuris vulpis in Izu Quarters.The sex-related prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Izu Quarters showed that the female dogs 11 (47.8%) was more infected than the male 16 (39.0%).The age-related prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in Izu Quarters showed that the puppies of age 0-6months 16 (50.0%)were more infected, followed by adult of more than 12 months of age 7 (35.0%)and the young dog of 7-11 months 5 (31.2%).It is therefore necessary that policies that would aim at vaccination and deworming of dogs should be enforced in these areas.