Back to Search
Start Over
Prevalence and risk factors associated with Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
- Source :
- Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research, Vol 3, Iss 4, Pp 338-344 (2016)
- Publication Year :
- 2016
- Publisher :
- ScopeMed, 2016.
-
Abstract
- Objective: This study was designed to assess the prevalence and the associated risk factors (e.g., sex, age, breed, management system and climate) of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Makurdi metropolis in Nigeria. Materials and methods: Prevalence study of canine heartworm disease in dogs was conducted over a period of six months covering five localities of Makurdi metropolis in Benue State, Nigeria. A total of 186 blood samples were collected from apparently healthy and sick dogs, and the samples were examined for the presence of microfilaria between September 2015 and February 2016. Three methods (wet mount, Buffy coat and modified Knott's techniques) were used for the examination of the samples. The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and complete blood count for each sample were also determined. Results: Out of the 186 dogs, 4 (2.15%) were found to be positive for the presence of microfilaria. Out of the 4 positive cases, 3 (1.61%) were microfilaria and 1 (0.54%) was unidentified motile parasite. A total of 104 females were examined and only 1 (0.96%) was positive, while 3 (3.66%) males out of 82 examined were positive. Out of 141 older dogs examined, 4 (2.84%) were positive. Hematology of the positive dogs revealed mild anemia and moderate thrombocytopenia with Mean+/-SD of 34.8+/-15.30% and 108+/-60.81x109/L, respectively. Conclusion: The study confirms Knott's technique to be the most sensitive in the diagnosis of dirofilariasis in dogs using parasitological techniques. The findings confirm the occurrence of D. immitis in dogs in Makurdi with low prevalence and that the general public are at high risk of spreading infection from the dogs. Infection is more in male and adult dogs. This work can assist in planning appropriate strategies for controlling and prevention of D. immitis infection in Nigeria. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2016; 3(4.000): 338-344]
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
Mild anemia
Veterinary medicine
040301 veterinary sciences
Dirofilaria immitis
Buffy coat
Microfilaria
0403 veterinary science
03 medical and health sciences
Dogs
Mosquito
Dirofilariasis
medicine
Zonoosis
Dirofilaria
lcsh:Veterinary medicine
General Veterinary
biology
medicine.diagnostic_test
business.industry
Complete blood count
04 agricultural and veterinary sciences
030108 mycology & parasitology
medicine.disease
biology.organism_classification
Breed
Heartworm
lcsh:SF600-1100
Animal Science and Zoology
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 23117710
- Volume :
- 3
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....51da9a348fe5907a7d1b7e05157931f7