Prevalence of some ectoparasites infesting different breeds of dogs in Qalyubia governorate, Egypt.

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify ectoparasites species infesting dogs in Qalyubia governorate, Egypt during the period extended from June 2021 to May 202. For this purpose, 271 dogs belonged to nine species were examined to detect ectoparasites. The results showed that prevalence of ticks species was 98.2% and 1.8% for Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Hyalomma dormedari, respectively. The incidence of fleas species was 48.24% and 51.76% for Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis, respectively. Lice species distribution was 84.46% and 14.5% for Heterodoxus spriniger and Haematopinus species, respectively. The infestation by ticks, fleas, and lice was the highest (40.34, 33.89, and 31.08 %, respectively) in summer season, while the winter season showed the lowest infestation of 7.31, 17.37 and 19.52% for ticks, fleas and lice respectively. Stray dogs had the highest infestation rate (62.5%), and male dogs were slightly higher than females without significance (27.9, and 25.4, respectively). All ages are infested, and the highest age of infestation was 7 month to 1 year (15.86%) while young dogs less than 6 months showed less infestation. Dogs weighed (≥ 25kg) showed higher infestation (24.35%) than other weights. Ectoparasites infestation was (57.57%) in pregnant bitches and (31.25%) in lactating bitches. Also, single and mixed infestation between male and female dogs, fur color, and place where ectoparasites distributed on dogs were calculated. It could be conclud that stray dogs were more susceptible to ectoparasites infestation than dog breeds. Fleas are more common followed by ticks, so control measures must be carried against them in dogs.