Prevalence of Haemoparasites in the Nigerian Breed of Dogs in Lafia Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the common haemoparasites of the Nigerian mixed breed dog in Lafia, Nasarawa State. One hundred and sixty (160) mongrel dogs of different ages and sexes in Nasarawa state, north central Nigeria were sampled. 5 ml of blood was collected aseptically from the cephalic vein of 74 male and 86 female dogs in the government veterinary clinic, project quarters, millionaire quarters and Lafia metropolis. Blood samples from 160 Nigerian breed dogs aged 4 to 21 months were analyzed for the prevalence of haemoparasites. All means are given as standard deviations, which were compared using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95% significant level (P<0.05).  The prevalence of haemoparasites was found to be five 10 (12.80%). Male dogs were found to have a prevalence rate of 6 (16.2%) compared to 4 (8.14%) in female dogs. Babesia canis was the only haemoparasite isolated in this study. There was a significant (p0.05) difference in the packed cell volume of the infected males compared to the females. It is therefore concluded that there is paucity of control/ treatment measures of haemoparasites infection in mongrel dogs and thus the need to re-strategize the management of this disease.