Seasonal distribution and common management practices of ectoparasites of domestic dogs in Ilorin, Nigeria

In spite of their zoonotic potentials, ectoparasites of domestic animals are less studied in many part of Nigeria. This study therefore investigated the seasonal distribution and common management practices of dogs’ ectoparasites in Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria. Information on dog’s bio-data, activities and control measures adopted by owners were obtained using structured questionnaire. Dogs were examined for ectoparasites using standard parasitological method. Out of the 164(48.9 %) male and 170(51.1 %) female dogs examined, a total of 52.0 % harbored at least one of five species of ectoparasites identified in the study: ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, 70.3 %, Haemaphysalis leachii, 29.4 % and Amblyomma variegatum, 4.5 %), Flea (Ctenocephalides canis, 63.7 %) and lice (Heterodoxus spiniger, 30.0 %). Infestation was higher in males (60.7 %) than females (43.5 %). Multiple infestation particularly combination of tick and flea (34.7 %) were more frequent. Puppies of ≤ 6 months and dogs with short hair (86.5 %) were significantly infested (p