Incidences of Haemoparasites in Dogs in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State

Several haemoparasites of dogs causes diseases of public health importance. Trypanosoma cruzi ranked the 4th greatest endemic disease in America, affecting not less than 16 to 18 million people and about a 100 million people at risk of the disease [1,2]. Apart from Trypanosomosis, dogs are constantly challenged by other haemoparasites such as Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis which causes anaemia. Babesiosis is one of the most important haemoparasites of animals [3], including dogs. The disease is found throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and America where it affects dogs [4]. Recently, reports on the incidences of haemoparasites in dogs have been made in several continents of the world. Kamani et al. [5] recorded 42% prevalence at Vom, Nigeria, comprising mostly of Babesia canis 27%. Similarly, Barker et al. [6] recorded a prevalence of 44% in stray dogs in Australia comprising amongst others 20(51%) Anaplasma platys and 17(44%) Babesia vogeli. Therefore, paucity of information on incidences of haemoparasites of dogs in Ikwuano L.G.A. of Abia State prompted this research.


Introduction
Several haemoparasites of dogs causes diseases of public health importance. Trypanosoma cruzi ranked the 4 th greatest endemic disease in America, affecting not less than 16 to 18 million people and about a 100 million people at risk of the disease [1,2]. Apart from Trypanosomosis, dogs are constantly challenged by other haemoparasites such as Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis which causes anaemia. Babesiosis is one of the most important haemoparasites of animals [3], including dogs. The disease is found throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and America where it affects dogs [4]. Recently, reports on the incidences of haemoparasites in dogs have been made in several continents of the world. Kamani et al. [5] recorded 42% prevalence at Vom, Nigeria, comprising mostly of Babesia canis 27%. Similarly, Barker et al. [6] recorded a prevalence of 44% in stray dogs in Australia comprising amongst others 20(51%) Anaplasma platys and 17(44%) Babesia vogeli. Therefore, paucity of information on incidences of haemoparasites of dogs in Ikwuano L.G.A. of Abia State prompted this research.

Materials and Methods
Ikwuano L. G. A. of Abia state is comprised of 5 clans with a total of 43 communities. Out of these, Oboro has 18, Ibere 7, Oloko 8, Ariam 6 and Usaka 3. A total of 14 communities were randomly sampled in the study, and they include 6 communities in Oboro, 2 in Ibere, 3 in Oloko, 2 in Ariam and 1 in Usaka. In the selected communities dogs were randomly sampled. One mililiter of blood sample was collected through the cephalic veins of dogs into a well labeled EDTA bottle according to Jamie [7] and kept in an iced packed cooler before transportation to the laboratory for analysis. The study commenced in March and ended in December 2012. The analysis was done using thin blood technique stained with Geimsa for both Babesia spps and Anaplasma spps. Trypanosomes were detected using both wet mount and Buffy coat techniques for accuracy. The Packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentrations of the animals were determined according to the method

Statistical analysis
The results obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics [10] and presented as tables. The prevalence (P) of the diseases were calculated using the formula P=d/n. where N=positive cases/ Total number of samples examined [11]. The prevalence of the diseases was expressed in percentage. The PCV and HBC were analyzed using ANOVA and the means separated with Duncan's multiple range tests.

Journal of Veterinary Science & Technology
June (68.0%); July (63.3%) while August recorded the least (53.1%) prevalence. Out of a total of 503 dogs sampled, 104 were males and 303 females. The prevalence of haemoparasites was higher in females 303 (76.3%) when compared to the males 56(54.0%). In Table 3, there was a significant decrease in the PCV and haemoglobin concentration of animals infected with haemoparasites. Those with mixed infections of Babesia and Anaplasma species had a lower 24.38 ± 3.6 b PCV and 6.39 ± 2.3 b HB compared with trypanosomes 28.36 ± 4.6 b and Babesia 30.20 ± 2.3 b species

Discussion
Apparently there was a substantial prevalence 359(71.4%) of Trypanosomes, Babesia and Anaplasma species in dogs in Ikwuano L.G.A. of Abia state as observed from the result of the study (Table 1). This was higher than 23.33% observed by Obeta et al. [12] in Abuja. This emphasizes the need for proper health management and Veterinary care of dogs within this area. Trypanosomes are particularly of interest considering the acute nature of the disease compared to babesiosis and anaplasmosis in dogs. The low prevalence recorded in this study could signify incidental transportation of infected dogs from endemic areas. Similarly, it could mean low prevalence of the vector tse-tse within the area. Nevertheless both Babesia and Anaplasm spps are still very important haemoparasites of dogs commonly transmitted through bites from infected ticks and dogs often are exposed to ticks by their natural social behavior. Free roaming dogs are more predisposed to ticks infestation than in-house pets; as such dogs easily pick up infection by contact with infected dogs. Although the benefit of in-house pets could be played-out, in the absence of hygienic practices in kernel. Hence government should provide veterinary clinics in communities along side human health centers for comprehensive human and animal health management in the light of one health one world initiative program. Some of the dogs had mixed infections of Babesia and Anaplasma species as observed by Lako et al. [3] in his study on ruminants.
The high prevalence of haemoparasites (Table 2) recorded in March and November agrees with the findings of Obeta et al. [12] who detected highest prevalence of haemaparasites in December. This could be attributed to the dry weather conditions allowing free roaming and spread of diseases in animals. However, this was in contrast with the findings of Samdi et al. [13], who observed high prevalence of haemoparasites during rainy season. The relativesly low prevalence of haemoparasites in the months of June, July and August could be attributed to the rainy weather conditions apparently not suitable for spread of vector transmitted disease. In dry season, there is free roam of animals which allows easy spread of disease through contact infection. This situation however is abridged through confinement of animals during rainy season thus reduces prevalence of various disease conditions. The seeming high prevalence of haemoparasites in females than in the males could be related to the proportion of the populations sampled. This corroborates the findings of Samdi et al. [13]. Most households keep females than males especially for breeding purposes. The significant decreases in the PCV and HBC of infected animals' (Table 3) highlights the deleterious effects of haemoparasites on the blood responsible for anaemia associated with the diseases. The   import of haemoparasites in dogs demands proper surveillances to enforce early control measures.
In conclusion, some species of Trypanosomes in dogs are also zoonotic, therefore the need for continuous surveillances on the prevalence of haemoparasites in our communities as a control strategy.
The result of such studies would aid Veterinary diagnosis and prognosis of diseases in dogs within the area. Furthermore, awareness programs should be mapped out in communities to encourage dog owners to seek veterinary services in the management of their dogs for effective disease control.