Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Abstract

65 dogs from both sexes aged 2 months – 3years old were used in this study, included 42 stray dogs 11 guard dogs, 6 pet dogs and 6 clinically normal dogs served as a control were examined. Clinical signs observed and the study of blood picture. The percentage of infection with eggs and oocysts of endoparasites in stray dogs and guard dogs were 78.57%, 27.27% respectively Eggs of Toxocara canis 40.47%, eggs of Toxascaris leonina 30.95%, eggs of Taenia spp 16.6%, oocysts of Isospora spp 7.1% and Cryptosporidium spp 11.9% were diagnosed in stray dogs. The eggs of Dioctophyma renale appeared 4.76% in faeces of stray dogs. In guard dogs, eggs of Toxascaris leonina 27.27% were also diagnosed.
Examination of skin scraping revealed 100%, 45.45%, 16.6% infection with ectoparasites in stray, guard and pet dogs respectively. The most important ectoparasites observed in stray dogs were Rhipicephalus sanguineus 40.47% Rh. turanicus 30.95%, Ctenocephalides canis 54.76% Heterodoxsus longitarsus 23.8% Demodex canis 30.95%, Sarcoptes scabiei 19.04% and Cimex spp 7.1% while in guard dogs Hcterodoxsus longitarsus 36.36%, Ct. canis 27.27% Rh. sanguineus 18.18%, Demodex canis 9.09%. In pet dogs, only Rh. sanguineus 16.6% was recorded. Mixed infection with different endoparasites and ectoparasites was most common in stray and guard dogs 76.19%, 40% respectively. Conclusion was made that the highest percentage of endo and ectoparasites were in stray dogs.