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Ectoparasites of Domestic Dogs in Some Ijebu Communities, Southwest Nigeria

Two hundred and two (90 males, 112 females) domestic dogs with an age range of 1 month to 7 years were examined for ectoparasitic infestations in some Ijebu communities of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, between January and December, 2007. Information on age, feeding, bathing, keeping place and purpose of keeping were obtained by questioning the owners. One hundred and ninety-nine (98.5%) of the examined dogs had one or more ectoparasitic arthropod infestations. Rhipicephalus sanguineus had statistically highest prevalence of 89.6% (P<0.001), followed by Haemophysalis leachii (78.7%), Ctenocephalides canis (13.4%) and Damalina sp. (1.5%). R. sanguineus was statistically the most abundant species (848/1358, 62.4%) (P<0.001). 174 (86.1%) and 28 (13.9%) of the dogs examined were used as pets/house-guards and for hunting, respectively. Dog bathing 1 time/month with non-chemical treated water was the commonest practice, although the use of chemicals including kerosene, lindane, diazinon and coumaphos was also practised by some dog owners. The study shows the need to educate dog owners of reliable and safe methods of domestic dog care.