Prevalence, seasonal and geographical distribution of parasitic diseases in dogs in Plateau State Nigeria: a 30-year retrospective study (1986-2015)

Solomon N Karshima; Shalangwa I Bata; Christopher Bot; Nanbol B Kujul; Nehemiah D Paman; Adebowale Obalisa; Magdalene N Karshima; Hassana I Dunka; Stanley D Oziegbe

doi:10.1007/s12639-020-01219-3

Prevalence, seasonal and geographical distribution of parasitic diseases in dogs in Plateau State Nigeria: a 30-year retrospective study (1986-2015)

J Parasit Dis. 2020 Sep;44(3):511-520. doi: 10.1007/s12639-020-01219-3. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Authors

Solomon N Karshima¹, Shalangwa I Bata², Christopher Bot², Nanbol B Kujul², Nehemiah D Paman², Adebowale Obalisa², Magdalene N Karshima³, Hassana I Dunka¹, Stanley D Oziegbe⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Jos, PMB 2084, Jos, Nigeria.
² Department of Animal Health, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, PMB 001, Vom, Nigeria.
³ Department of Parasitology and Entomolgy, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State Nigeria.
⁴ Department of Theriogenology, University of Jos, PMB 2084, Jos, Nigeria.

Abstract

Parasitic diseases of dogs are now major economic and public health issues in Nigeria due to indiscriminate reproduction of dogs, lack of appropriate policies on pet ownership and diseases control as well as inadequate veterinary care. In order to understand the prevalence, seasonal variation and distribution of parasitic diseases of dogs in this region of Nigeria, the present study conducted a 30-year retrospective analysis in the referral veterinary centre, Vom, and analysed data using the Chi square test and the factor analysis. Of the 26,844 dogs handled between January 1986 and December 2015, 17,663 (65.8%) had different parasitic diseases. Yearly distribution of parasitic diseases varied significantly (p < 0.0001) and ranged between 52.0 and 85.4%. Age, seasonal and disease specific prevalence rates ranged between 2.8 and 80.5%. Prevalence rates in females 78.2% (95% CI 77.6-78.9) and indigenous breed 70.0% (95% CI 69.2-70.7) were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) from those of the males 47.2% (95% CI 46.2-48.1) and exotic breeds of dogs 60.7% (95% CI 59.8-61.6), respectively. Ancylostomosis was the most prevalent (15.9%) disease while Barkin Ladi recorded the highest regional prevalence. It is pertinent to enact appropriate disease control policies and observe control programmes including vector control and improved hygiene to curtail the economic and public health threats associated with these diseases.

Keywords: Distribution; Epidemiology; Parasitic diseases; Plateau State-Nigeria; Prevalence; Public health; Retrospective analysis; Seasonal variation.