Prevalence of protozoan parasitic infections in domestic dogs in Andhra Pradesh, India

Faecal (2,250) and blood samples (1,350) of dogs received from Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex (TVCC), Gannavaram, Veterinary Hospitals in and around Krishna district and nearby Krishna, Andhra Pradesh during last five years (January 2014 to December 2018) were examined to determine the prevalence of protozoan parasites. Faecal samples were analyzed by direct smear and floatation technique and blood samples after Giemsa's staining. The overall prevalence of protozoan parasitic infections including intestinal (15.60%) and haemoprotozoan (6.22%) infections was 12.10% (n=435). Six genera of protozoan parasites namely Cystisospora, Entamoeba, Ehrlichia, Trypanosoma, Babesia and Hepatozoon were identified. The most prevalent species was Cystoisospora (14.04%) and Hepatozoan canis (0.67%) was the least prevalent species. A significant relationship between age group, breed and prevalence of protozoan parasitism was observed. The prevalence of gastrointestinal and haemoprotozoan parasites was significant during winter and rainy seasons, respectively. Sex did not influence the overall prevalence of protozoan parasites.

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