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Abstract
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Article Information:
A Survey on Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Non-Descript Dogs in and Around Arusha Municipality, Tanzania
E.S. Swai, E.J. Kaaya, D.A. Mshanga and E.W. Mbise
Corresponding Author: Emmanuel Senyael
Submitted: 2010 April, 01
Accepted: 2010 April, 22
Published: 2010 July, 05 |
Abstract:
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Dogs are the most common pet animals worldwide and perform a range of cultural, social, and
economic functions in society. The objective of this study is to investigate, through cross-sectional survey, the
distribution, types and prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites affecting dogs in and around Arusha
municipality, Tanzania. Faecal samples collected from 241 non-descript, apparent healthy dogs w ere processed
by sedimentation and floatations technique and then examined for protozoan oocyst and helminth eggs.
Coprological examination revealed that 59.3% of the dogs excreted helminth eggs in their faeces. Dogs
harbouring one-parasite eggs were more common (73.8%) than those harbouring two (12.4%) or three (0.4%).
The data on the distribution of the various worm species in the positive dogs indicate that Ancylostoma caninum
eggs were by far the most common (57.2%). The other detected worm egg species and their respective
frequencies were: Toxocara canis (13.7% ), Mesostesphanus spp. (1.66%) and Taenia spp. (0.4%). Protozoan eggs (E. canis) were detected in two samples. The prevalence of helminth eggs was higher in young dogs
(puppies) compared to adults (p<0.05). The prevalence of different species of helminths also varied in different
age groups, with Toxocara canis being higher in puppies than in adults (p = 0.005). Sex-wise prevalence of
helminths was not significant (p> 0.05). The high prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminth parasites of zoonotic
potential registered in the dog population from a highly urban area in Arusha indicates a potential risk to human
health. Increased awareness of their potential threat to human health coupled with additional research into the
zoonotic capacity of Toxocara spp. and Ancylostoma spp. is desirable.
Key words: Arusha, dog, endo-parasites, prevalence, Tanzania, zoonoses,
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Cite this Reference:
E.S. Swai, E.J. Kaaya, D.A. Mshanga and E.W. Mbise, . A Survey on Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Non-Descript Dogs in and Around Arusha Municipality, Tanzania. International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, (3): Page No: 63-67.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-2908
ISSN (Print): 2041-2894 |
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