Prevalence of ticks and haemoparasitic infections in dogs presented at the University of Ilorin Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Tick-borne haemoparasitism is an important disease of dogs in Nigeria with limited information on prevalence and distribution in Kwara State. This study was aimed at providing information on the prevalence of the disease and to determine the risk factors for infection. Methods: Between May-August 2017, blood samples were collected from dogs presented at the University of Ilorin, Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) were sampled and Wright-Giemsa stained blood smear were examined for haemoparasites using Wright-Giemsa staining. Also, retrospective data of dogs between May-August 2016 was retrieved from clinical records and analysed. Result: A total 93 dogs were presented (48 in 2016 and 45 in 2017). More female dogs (54.2%) were presented than males in 2016; whereas in 2017, more male dogs (53.3%) were presented. Alsatians were the most common breed presented. Majority (68.9% and 64.6%) of the dogs were infested with ticks in 2017 and 2016 respectively. More cases of haemoparasites were recorded in June for 2016 (42.9%) and in May for 2017 (50%) corresponding to period when dogs were more infested with ticks. In 2016, 29.2% of dogs tested positive for haemoparasites of which 22.9% for canine babesiosis; 4.1% for canine ehrlichiosis, while 2.1% had mixed infection of Babesia and Ehrlichia parasites. In 2017, 13.3% of dogs were infected with Babesia parasite only. Dogs aged >12 months had higher tick infestation in 2017 and the difference was statistical significant (p = 0.047). Significance: Findings from this study showed that canine babesiosis is prevalent in dogs in Ilorin. Control measures during the period of high tick population is suggested.