Intestinal Helminthoses in Dogs in Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Intestinal helminths in dogs provide a potential source of infection in humans due to the close contact be­tween humans and dogs. Due to the limited information on parasites infecting dogs in Kaduna State, Nigeria, a cross sec­tional study was conducted with the aim of determining the diversity and prevalence of intestinal helminths of dogs in the area. During the survey, 160 gastrointestinal tracts of dogs killed for meat selected by simple sampling technique were collected and examined for helminths in Kaduna metropolis, latitude 100 50I N and longitude 70 50I E. Of the helminths found, Dipylidium caninum (75.0%), Taenia hydatigena (43.8%), Diphyllobothrium latum (6.3%), Ancylostoma caninum (6.3%) and Toxocara canis (6.3%) were the most common. Female dogs were more likely of contacting intestinal helminths than male dogs (RR = 1.125). Higher mean worm burden was recorded for dogs infected by T. hydatigena and D. caninum than dogs infected by T. canis, D. latum or A. caninum. The presence of these parasites in dogs examined indicates a potential public health problem in Kaduna me­tropolis. Mass enlightenment of dog keepers on the need for periodic veterinary care and restriction of stray dogs through legislation formulation and enforcement are recommended as possible control measures.