The study on ectoparasite infection in domestic dogs in An Giang province and the treatment efficacy

Abstract

The prevalence of ectoparasite infection in domestic dogs and treatment efficacy in An Giang
province was conducted from September 2020 to March 2021. A total of 324 domestic dogs were
surveyed in 3 districts/city (Long Xuyen city, Thoai Son district and Cho Moi district) of which there
were 139 dogs infected with ectoparasites with overall infection rate of 42.90%. The domestic
dogs of all ages were infected with ectoparasites, the highest infection rate was in the dogs at
age from 6 to 12 months old (68.29%), followed by the dogs under 6 months old (51.25%) and
decreased gradually in the dogs at 13- 24 months old and over 24 months old (27.16%; 24.69%,
respectively). Raising methods effected to the ectoparasitic infection rate. The ectoparasitic
infection rate of the free-ranged domestic dogs was higher than the captive dogs, namely the
former occupied 66.44% and the later accounted for only 22.86%. The long-haired domestic dogs
were infected with ectoparasite (61.63%) higher than the short-haired domestic dogs (21.71%). In
our research, we identified 8 species of ectoparasites in the domestic dogs in An Giang province,
including ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Boophilus microplus), fleas (Ctenocephalides canis,
Ctenocephalides felis felis), demodectic mange (Demodex canis), louse (Trichodectes canis),
mites (Sarcoptes canis, Otodectes cynotis). Among them, domestic dogs were infected mostly by
Rhipicephalus sanguineus (26.85%), following by Ctenocephalides canis with 18.83%, Boophilus microplus (16.98%), Ctenocephalides felis felis (14.81%); Demodex canis (8.33%), Otodectes cynotis
(7.41). Meanwhile, Trichodectes canis and Sarcoptes canis showed the low infection rate (3.70%).
Fipronil medicine has given 100% effective against ticks, fleas, and ticks combined with fleas, and
fluralancer medicine showed 100% effective in treating demodectic mange