PREVALENCE OF ECTOPARASITES OF OWNED DOGS WITHIN MAKURDI METROPOLIS, BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.

Ectoparasites of dogs are common means of disease transmission through their bites, besides being nuisance. Yet they are often ignored until, in some cases, death of an infested animal occurs. This research was conducted in Makurdi metropolis to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites in dogs. A total of 150 live dogs were examined physically for the presence of ticks, lice and fleas, in Wurukum, Tse-Ayu, International Market, Iorhom and Gyado-Villa. They were hand-picked and placed in labeled specimen bottles. The study adopted the Laboratory identification of arthropod ectoparasites methods as a means of ectoparasites identification. Ectoparasitic infestation was observed across demographics. Of the 150 dogs, 73 (48.7%) had various ectoparasites, of which ticks were mostly encountered 80 (37.2%). The highest rate of infestation was recorded in Wurukum, where 20 (13.3%) dogs were infested, statistics showed that there was no significant difference. According to age, the older dogs (6 years) were more infested [48 (60.0%), with significant difference.. Based on sex, the female dogs had more ectoparasites [46 (51.1 %) than their male counterparts, although, there was no significant difference statistically. The sanitary conditions in which dogs are raised as pets or other purposes should not be taken lightly, because, apart from exposing them to diseases, they can harbor parasites of zoonotic importance.