Dogs are the most common pet animals worldwide, providing companionship, security and a source of dietary protein. Zoonotic helminthes of dogs is a global problem particularly in the developing countries and these dogs, regardless of their benefits, pose a public health risk as they are potential carriers of some pathogens. This study attempted to bridge the dearth of information on the prevalence of zoonotic helminthes of domestic dogs in Bwari Area Council and to establish some of the risk factors that may be associated with endoparasitism. Fecal samples were collected between April to July 2019 to determine the prevalence of zoonotic helminthes in the area. A total of 210 dogs were sampled. Faecal samples were examined using standard flotation and sedimentation techniques to examine for the presence of helminthes ova. The overall prevalence of helminth parasites was 49.52%, and single helminth infections were as follows: Ancylostoma caninum (30.48%), Toxocara canis (8.10%), Dipylidium caninum (6.19%), Trichuris vulpis (3.81%) and Taenia spp(0.95%).In this study, mixed infections with more than one helminth parasite species were found in 16.34% of the cases. A strong association was observed between prevalence and age of the dogs, with younger dogs having higher rate of infection than older dogs. The presence of the zoonotic helminths indicates that dogs play an important epidemiological role as reservoirs of infections in the area. Moreover, routine treatment of dogs with anthelminthic drugs was not a common practice and public awareness regarding parasites of zoonotic importance was limited. Therefore,interventions that include mass enlightenment of dog owners on the need for regular veterinary attention and restriction of stray dogs through legislative formulation and enforcement are recommended as possible control measures.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content Page
Title page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgment v
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vii
List of Tables x
List of Figures xi
List of Plates xii
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background to the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 2
1.3 Justification of the problem 3
1.4 Aims and Objectives 4
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the study 4
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 5
2.1 Dog domestication and relationship to man 5
2.2 Dog population in the world 6
2.3 Helminths 6
2.3.1 Nematodes 7
2.3.2 Cestodes 13
2.3.3 Trematodes 15
2.3.4 Acanthocephalans ( Thorny headed worms) 17
2.4 Laboratory Diagnosis of Dog Helminthes 17
2.5 Treatment of Dog Helmithes 18
2.6 Control of Dog Helminthes 19
2.7 Zoonoses 19
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 23
3.1 Study area 23
3.2 Sample Collection 25
3.3 Parasitological analysis 25
3.3.1 Simple Flotation Technique 26
3.3.2 Wet Mount Preparation 27
3.3.3 Sedimentation Technique 27
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS 28
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Discussion 35
5.2 Conclusion 40
5.3 Recommendations 40
REFERENCES 41
APPENDIX 45
LIST OF TABLES
Table
4.1 Overall prevalence of zoonotic helminthes in domestic dogs in Bwari Area Council 4. 2 Overall prevalence of zoonotic helminthes in dogs in relation to sex in Bwari Area Council 4. 3 Overall prevalence of zoonotic helminthes of dogs in Bwari Area Council in relation to sex and specie 4. 4 Multiple infection detected among positive samples of dog faeces in Bwari Area Council 4. 5 Overall prevalence of zoonotic helminthes in relation to age group and sex of dogs in Bwari Area Council 4.6 Overall prevalence of zoonotic helminthes of dogs in Bwari Area Council in relation to age and specie
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
2. 1 Ancylostoma caninum segmented eggs 9
2. 2 Toxocara canis 9
2. 3 Toxocara canis unsegmented eggs 10
2.4 Lifecycle of hookworms in dogs 10
2. 5 Characteristic whip shape of Trichuris vulpis 11
2. 6 Lifecycle of Trichuris vulpis 12
2.7 Trichuris vulpis eggs 13
2. 8 Life cycle of tape worms in dogs 15
2. 9 Life cycle of Schistosoma mansoni in animals including man 16
3.1 Map showing Bwari Area council 24
3.2 Atlas showing dog helminth ova 26
LIST OF PLATES
Plates Page
4.1 Ancylostoma caninum ova 45
4.2 Toxocara canis ova 46
4.3 Dipylidium caninum ova 47
4.4 Trichuris Vulpis 48
4.5 Taenia spp ova 49
