DefinePK

Abstract

Records of all adult dogs that were sick or had died during the period from 2008 to 2012 were evaluated by review of clinical treatment sheets and necropsy reports. The primary etiological factors of morbidity and mortality were determined. Blood smears were made and fecal samples were collected from 643 adult dogs and analyzed for blood parasites and helminthes respectively. The prevalence and incidence rates of tick borne infectious agents and helminthes were determined. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and simple associations between variables (sex, age and breed) and outcome using chi-square at P<0.05 significance level. Tick fever 29% (219/756) was reported as the most common etiology of morbidity of adult dogs followed by flea allergy dermatitis 16% (121/756), helminthosis 12.3% (93/756), mange 6.7% (51/756) and eye and ear conditions 5.2% (39/756). The conditions causing significant mortality included old age 24.6% (98/398), aflatoxicosis 18.8% (75/398), cancer 15.3% (61/398), tick fever 9.3% (37/398) and abdominal conditions 6.5% (26/398). Of the adult dogs sampled, 43.1% (277/643) were positive for blood parasites. The prevalence of Ehrlichia, Babesia and Haemabartonella was 19.4% (125/643), 4.5% (29/643) and 5% (32/643) respectively. Of the dogs sampled, 49% (315/643) were positive for helminthes. The prevalence of Ancylostomum caninum, Toxocara canis and Coccidial cysts was 28.5% (183/643), 5.1% (33/643) and 0.2% (1/643) respectively. The significant factors associated with morbidity and mortality were age (P<0.01) and breed (P<0.01). Breed and age of the adult dogs were significantly associated (P<0.01) with tick borne infections whereas all the factors (sex, breed and age) were significantly associated (P<0.01) with helminth infections. It can be concluded that there is a relatively high adult dog morbidity and mortality and that tick borne and helminth infections are prevalent among adult kenneled dogs in the study area. Awareness of the diseases and conditions common to kenneled adult dog population will help reduce morbidity and mortality, improve quality of life, and extend the lifespan of the dogs.