PREVALENCE OF ZOONOTIC GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN STRAY DOGS IN OYE AND IKOLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Stray dogs are known to harbour various gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs), some of which are of zoonotic importance. This study aimed at understanding the prevalence of zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites in stray dogs in Oye and Ikole Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ekiti State. Fifty (50) faecal samples were randomly collected from stray dogs from each of the LGAs into plastic universal bottles. The universal bottles were properly labelled, transported to Animal and Environmental Biology laboratory, Federal University Oye-Ekiti and stored in the refrigerator at 4ºC for processing. Faecal samples were examined microscopically using sheather’s sugar floatation technique. Out of the 100 faecal samples that were examined, 63.0% have single parasite while 37.0% are without parasites. There was no case of double infection. Prevalence of GIP was found to be significantly different in the two locations (p<0.001) with Oye having the highest prevalence of 63.5% while Ikole has a prevalence of 36.5%. All the parasites that were found in Oye LGAs were of zoonotic importance while 9 out of 10 GIP observed in Ikole were zoonotic. Overall, Toxocara canis had the highest prevalence of (22.0%), followed by Strongyloides sp (10.0%) while the other zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites have prevalence less than (10.0%). This study emphasized the need to intensify awareness on the role of stray dogs in contaminating the environment with zoonotic parasites.