PREVALENCE OF TICK INFESTATION IN FREE-ROAMING AND KENNELED DOGS IN NORTH BANK, MAKURDI IN BENUE STATE OF NIGERIA

*Obisike, Victor U., Amaka, John I., Amaakaven, Iveren B., and Imandeh, Godwin N.

ABSTRACT

Free-roaming and kenneled dogs are mostly infested with different species of ticks. The study was conducted to identify tick species infesting free-roaming and kenneled dogs and to compare their infestation rates on free-roaming and kenneled dogs in North Bank Makurdi. One hundred dogs were randomly selected and examined for tick infestation on their body. Tick identification was done using standard taxonomic keys. A total of 36 dogs were infested with different species of ticks out of the 100 dogs examined. One hundred and thirty nine (139) adult ticks were identified. Rhipicephalus sanguineus had the highest prevalence of 46.8%, Dermacentor reticulatus had prevalence of 33.1% and Haemaphisalis species had prevalence of 20.1%. Single and multiple infestations did not differ statistically. Infestation was significantly statistically (P< 0.05) on free-roaming than kenneled dogs. From this study, it was observed that environment and degree of freedom were among the main factors influencing the dog tick infestations.

Keywords: Rhipicephalussanguineus, Haemaphisalisleachileachi, Demacentor reticulatus.