An Elucidation of Ecoepidemiological Aspects of Ectoparasites Infesting Selected Dog Population of Punjab, Pakistan

Scholar s Advances in Animal and Veterinary Research, 2(3): 177-188 ISSN (p): 2409-5281 ISSN (e): 2410-1540 http://www.mrscholar.com Research Article An Elucidation of Ecoepidemiological Aspects of Ectoparasites Infesting Selected Dog Population of Punjab, Pakistan Junaid Ashraf and Muhammad Sohail Sajid * Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan * Corresponding Author: drsohailuaf@hotmail.com ARTICLE HISTORY Received: May 17, 2015 Revised: July 18, 2015 Accepted: July 29, 2015 Key Words Prevalence Risk factors Dog Ectoparasites Faisalabad A B S T R A C T A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the epidemiological aspects of ectoparasites in dog population of district Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. The overall prevalence of ectoparasites in dogs of study area was recorded 56.75% (681/1200). Among various ectoparasites, fleas were found predominant (16.3%; 196/1200; P<0.05) in comparison with ticks (14.33%; 172/1200), lice (11.3%; 136/1200), flies (7.66%; 92/1200) and mites (7.0%; 85/1200). Among the identified species of ectoparasites, 5 were arachnids (Rhipiephalus (R.) sanguineus, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, R. microplus, Sarcoptes scabei and Demodex canis) and 5 were insects (Ctenocepahlides (Ct). canis, Ct. felis, Trichodectes canis, Linognathus setosus and Stomoxys calcitrans). Age, sex and breed of host were not found associated (P>0.05) with the prevalence of ectoparasites. The prevalence of ectoparasites was found significantly higher in rural areas (61.83%) as compared to the urban areas (38.16%). According to site of infestation, highest rate was observed at ear (24%) followed in order by neck (17%), back (11%), abdomen (9%), foreleg (7%), hind leg (6%), shoulder (5%), genital All copyright reserved to Mr.Scholar To Cite This Article: Ashraf, J. and M.S. Sajid *, 2015. An elucidation of ecoepidemiological aspects of ectoparasites infesting selected dog population of Punjab, Pakistan. Scholar s Adv. Anim. Vet. Res., 2(3): 177-188. 177

area (5%) and tail (3%). Tehsil wise prevalence was found highest in Jaranawala (62.91%) followed in order by tehsil Faisalabad (59.58%), Jhumra (59.16%), Samundri (55.41%) and Tandlianwala (46.66%). Rate of infestation was found significantly highest in stray dogs (80.36%) in order followed by guard (63.69%), hunting (37.5%) and pet dogs (35.66%). In various season studied in the present survey, winter was with the highest prevalence of lice (18.66%; 56/300), fleas (11.66%; 35/300) and mites (13%; 39/300) while prevalence of ticks and flies was highest in summer (28%; 84/300) and spring seasons (17.66%; 53/300), respectively. In conclusion, dogs were found at high risk of ectoparasitism which may leads to serious skin problems in the study area. INTRODUCTION Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are well-thoughtout closest to humans because of their sophisticated societal behaviours (Ugbomoiko et al., 2008). These were domesticated 15,000 years ago from gray wolves. They have established themselves to be invaluable in a number of characters comprising guide dogs for the blind, hearing and assistance dogs for the disabled, sniffer dogs used by police and customs and farm dogs used for stock work hunting and most importantly pet dogs for mans companion etc. (Savolainen et al., 2002). Ectoparasites may also cause secondary damage comprising behavioral disturbances, such as amplified occurrence of rubbing or scratching, leading to decreased time in feeding (Weeks et al., 1995). These also perform as vectors of viruses, rickettsia, bacteria, protozoa, cestodes and nematodes, comprising vectors of zoonotic diseases in human being (Parola et al., 2001, Rehbein et al., 2003). Ticks (Acarina) have been documented as the thoughtful hazard to dogs affecting severe irritation, allergy and toxicosis (Parola et al., 2003). The distribution of fleas (Siphonaptera: Insecta) on dog population may be variable with the geographic locations which may stimulus flea control practices, the prevalence of flea-borne dermatitis, and the risk of flea-borne pathogen or parasite transmission not only to dogs but also to humans and other companion animals such as cats (Chomel 2008; Stenseth et al., 2008). Mites (Acarina) are important ectoparasites which cause of dermatosis in domestic dogs. Spells of self-trauma with secondary bacterial infection is the most common clinical demonstration (Kwochla, 1987). The most important canine mange-mites in the tropics are Demodex (D.) canis, Sarcoptes (S.) scabei canis and Otodectes (O.) cynotis (Kwochla, 1987; Nayak et al., 1997). Lice may result in anemia (Eckert et al., 2008). Trichodectes canis (suborder mallophaga), the biting lice can be easily observed while wandering in the hair of host. These can be seen attached with the skin, acquiring blood meal and holding host s hair with their claws (Mehlhorn et al., 2008). Young and immune suppressed dogs are more prone to lice infestation and also S. scabiei and/or Demodex folliculorum (Mehlhorn et al., 2008). Ectoparasitic infestation in different animals has been studied in various regions of Pakistan (Kakar et al., 2008; Sajid et al., 2008). Still, epidemiological aspects of ectoparasites infesting dog population in Pakistan has to be explored. Based on the available information the present research was planned for the determination of the frequency, distribution and associated risk factors of arthropod parasites infesting the contiguous dog population of the study district. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area: The study area (Faisalabad district) lies at 30-42 to 31-47 north latitudes and 72-40 to 73-40 East latitudes. It comprises of five tehsils (district sub units), viz. Faisalabad, Jhumra, Jaranawala, Sammundri, and Tandlianwala. 178

Faisalabad topographies an arid climate because of its high evapotranspiration, the climate sees its extremes. A calendar year of Pakistan is divided into four seasons viz; spring (February to April), summer (May to September), autumn (October to November) and winter (November to January) with the average maximum and minimum temperature in summer reaches is 39 C and 27 C respectively and in winter the maximum and minimum temperature is 21 C and 6 C respectively. The study was conducted from April, 2011-March, 2012. The contiguous dog population of study district was the source, from which the sample animals were drawn. Stratified simple random sampling was used for the selection of the animals. Tehsils of the study area (Faisalabad, Jhumra, Jaranawala, Sammundri, and Tandlianwala) were considered as strata in this study. The map grid method and proportional allocation were used for the selection of study animals within the strata. Sampling size was collected by simple stratified random sampling (Thrusfield, 2007). A questionnaire consisting of closed or dichotomous type question was prepared for the collection of information regarding associated risk factors influencing the prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation in the district Faisalabad. Questionnaire was refined through formal and informal testing (Thrusfield, 2007). An epidemiological survey was commenced from April 2001 till April 2012. The following major associated determinants were studied during epidemiological survey of the concerning district. In a month, two visits were made of selected stratum in order to collect information about species, age and sex of host, number of infested animals, type of housing, seasonal pattern of ectoparasites, average number of ectoparasites on each animal and variation in prevalence of ectoparasites with respect to host and area. The animals selected from the sampling frame were visited to observe for the presence or absence of ectoparasites. The recorded data showed the percentage of contiguous population of district Faisalabad infested with ectoparasitic infestation. The selected animals were screened fortnightly through ante mortem examination for the presence of ectoparasites by using magnifying glass. Infested animals were segregated for collection of samples/specimens. Infestation and management history for these animals was recorded. The infestation was categorically determined by examining different body parts (starting from mouth to hind limbs) of host species as described by (Herenda et al., 2000) and close inspection by using magnifying glass (Wall et al., 1997). Each host was thoroughly examined, going through all areas of the body. Following step-wise procedure was used in order to collect and identify the ectoparasites. Collection of the specimens was made by using forceps without destroying their mouthparts (Soulsby and Helminths, 1982). Ticks, lice and fleas were collected by using forceps or simply through hand covered with gloves (Soulsby and Helminths, 1982). While for mites Skin scrapings will be taken only from animals suspected for having clinical signs of mange by scraping 2.5 cm 2 area of the affected lesions by following the method described by (Fthenakis et al., 2001). All specimens were preserved in glycerine alcohol (95 parts of alcohol and 5 parts glycerin) in McCartney bottles (Soulsby and Helminths, 1982) and were transported those specimens to the Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. All specimens were taxonomically identified under stereoscopic microscope by using description and keys given by (Wall et al., 1997; Soulsby and Helminths, 1982; Furman and Catts, 1982). For record, specimens were mounted using standard entomological procedures (reference). Briefly, specimens were macerated in 10% KOH, followed by staining in 10% acid fuchsin, washing, dehydration in series of alcohols, clearing in clove oil and mounting using DPX. 179

Associated determinants: The animals of the study area were divided into various categories on the basis on their age including 1-<6 month (pups), 6-<12 month (young), 1-3 years (adult) and more than three years (old). Animals were divided into two categories (male and female) on the basis of sex. Animals of both sexes of any age were included in this study. Different breeds of dog including Doberman, Alsatian, Bullterrier, Russian, Pointer, Labrador and German Shepard were screened for ectoparasitic infestation in the study area. District Faisalabad is comprised of five tehsils viz: Faisalabad, Jhumra, Jaranawala, Samundri, and Tandlianwala. From each tehsil 240 dogs were screened and rate of infestation was calculated. The prevalence of ectoparasites was recorded in two locations including rural and urban areas. Cumulative and separate prevalence for each ectoparasite was observed. Month-wise prevalence (%) of ectoparasites was observed from April 2011 to April 2012. The data of temperature and relative humidity of the study area for the year 2011-12 was obtained from the Meteorological Department of Pakistan. Various body parts of the infested animals including the head, neck, ear, dewlap, back, abdomen, foreleg and shoulder, hind leg, congenital areas and the tail were examined for ectoparasite infestation. As there are four different seasons (spring, autumn, summer and winter) in the study area, so prevalence of ectoparasites in these four seasons was noted separately. The collected data were analyzed using multiple logistic regressions. Factors with paired characteristics were analyzed by using Odd s Ratio. All the analyses were carried out by using SAS software package (1998) at 95% confidence level (Schork et al., 2010). RESULTS The current study was conducted to record the prevalence of ectoparasitic fauna infesting dog population and also to find out an association of risk factors with prevalence of ectoparasites in dogs of district Faisalabad. Arachnids (including; Ticks and mites) and insects (like lice, fleas and flies) were included in this study. Effect of ectoparasitic infestation on various blood parameters were also observed in this study. Remarkable changes were noted in these parameters. The prevalence of ectoparasites was documented over an epoch of 1 year (April 2011-March, 2012). Dog were randomly sampled without any preference. Overall prevalence of ectoparasites in dog was recorded as 56.75% (681/1200) as shown in Table 4.1. In ticks, the prevalence of R. sanguineus (73.83%; 127/172) was found predominant (P<0.05; OR=1.75) followed in order by H. anatolicum anatolicum (18.60%; 32/172) and Boophilus microplus (6.97%; 13/172). Amongst the identified species of fleas, the prevalence of Ctenocepahlides (Ct). canis was found higher (60.20%; 118/196, P<0.05) as compared to C. felis (39.79%; 78/196). In lice, Trichodectes canis (75%; 102/136 P<0.05) was found higher as compared to the Linognathus setosus (25%; 34/136). In mites, the prevalence of S. scabei (64.70%; 55/85; P<0.05; OR= 1.97) were found higher than D.canis (35.29%; 30/85). While only one specie of fly i.e. Stomoxys calcitrans (84.78%; 78/92) was found prevalent in the study area as shown in Table 4.2. Associated determinants: A total of 536 male and 664 female of dog were screened for ectoparasites. Sex of host were not found associated risk factors (P>0.05) influencing prevalence of ectoparasites as shown in Table 4.3. Animals were divided into two categories (male and female) on the basis of sex. One third of total population selected for study was female and one forth was male. A total of 536 male and 664 female of dog were screened for ectoparasites. Sex of host were found associated risk factors (P>0.05) influencing prevalence of 180

Table 1: Associated Determinants Over all Prevalence 681/1200= 56.75 -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated determinants Variables Levels Prevalence (%) Odds Ratio P-value Prevalent Species Tick R. sanguineus 73.83% 9.77 0.000 H. anatolicum 18.60% 2.46 0.009 B. microplus 6.97% - - Flea C. canis 60.20% 1.52 0.020 C. felis 39.79% - - Lice Trichodectescanis 75% 3.00 0.000 Linognathussetosus 25% - - Flies Stomoxyscalcitrans 84.78% - - Mite S. scabei 64.70% 1.97 0.010 D.canis 35.29% 1.83 0.028 Animal Keeping Dogs Pet 35.66% 1.05 0.846 Guard 63.69% 1.70 0.032 Hunting 37.5% - - stray 80.36% 2.14 0.002 Breeds Dogs Alsatian 54.93% 1.85 0.020 German Shepard 17.18% 2.58 0.625 Russian 34.14% 5.12 0.163 Bullterrier 42.85% 6.43 0.030 Pointer 22.91% 3.44 0.356 Labrador 21.42% 3.21 0.468 Doberman 6.66% - - Cross 73.71% 11.60 0.002 -----------------------------------------------Sex groups ----------------------------------------------------- Ectoparasites Male(N=536) Female(N=664) Odds ratio (P- value) Ticks 12.5% 15.81% 1.27 0.151 Mites 4.66% 9.03% 1.94 0.005 Lice 13.05% 18.97% 1.31 0.134 Flea 14.92% 1.8% 1.45 0.018 Flies 13.05% 9.93% 8.26 0.000 --------------------------------------------Tehsil wise Prevalence-------------------------------------------------- Sr No. Tehsil Total animal Screened (N) Animal Infested (n) Prevalence % = N/n 100 1 Jaranawala 240 151 62.91 2 Faisalabad 240 143 59.58 3 Jhumra 240 142 59.16 4 Samundri 240 133 55.41 5 Tandlianwala 240 112 46.66 Total 1200 681 ---------------56.75------------ ----------------------------------------------Age groups------------------------------------------------------------------ Ectoparasites 1-6 MonthsN=291 6-12 monthsn=313 1-3 YearsN=316 > 3 YearsN=280 Ticks 25.77% 12.77% 8.54% 13.21% Mites 17.18% 7.98% 2.21% 1.07% Lice 30.92% 19.16% 11.39% 3.57% Flea 6.87% 11.18% 5.37% 7.14% Flies 26.11% 12.77% 2.53% 4.28% -------------------------------------------Area wise Prevalence----------------------------------------------------- Study Area Ectoparasites Prevalence (%) Urban N=458 Prevalence(%) Rural N=742 District Faisalabad Ticks 11.13% 16.30% Mites 8.07% 6.46% Fleas 14.41% 17.52% Flies 7.42% 7.81% Lice 10.26% 11.85% Overall prevalence% in both Locations 38.16% (458/1200) 61.83% (742/1200) 181

Fig. 1: Parasite wise prevalence % in dog population Fig. 3: Month wise prevalence of mites Fig. 2: Month wise prevalence of ticks ectoparasites as shown in Table 3. Age of host was found associated risk factors (P>0.05) influencing prevalence of ectoparasites s as shown in Table 4.4. Month-wise prevalence (%) of ectoparasites was observed from April, 2011 to April, 2012. The data of temperature and relative humidity of the study area for the year 2011-12 was obtained from the Meteorological Department of Pakistan. Month wise prevalence of each ectoparasite (including; ticks, mites, fleas, flies and lice) was also documented as has been depicted below in figures. The results (Fig. 4.2.) showed that ticks were found highest in the month of June and lowest in December. The prevalence of mites infesting dog population of Fig. 4: Month wise prevalence of fleas study area was recorded highest in November and lowest in May as shown in (Fig. 4.3). The fleas were found predominant in the month of august and lowest in november as has been depicted below in (Fig. 4.4.) Two types of lice were recorded during this study. Number of flies was highest in the month of March and lowest in December as shown in (Fig. 4.5.).The rate of prevalence was highest during the month of December and lowest in June as has been mentioned below in the (Fig. 4.6). Ectoparasitic burden was also recorded in different ways of animal keeping. Rate of infestation was found significantly highest in stray dogs in order followed by guard, hunting and pet dogs. The results 182

Fig. 5: Month wise prevalence of flies Fig. 6: Month wise prevalence of lice have been shown below in Table 6 and 7. There was no significant difference observed among the thesils. Various body parts of the infested animals including the head, neck, ear, back, abdomen, foreleg and shoulder, hind leg, congenital areas and the tail were examined for ectoparasite infestation. Highest infestation rate was recorded at ear (24%) and lowest at tail as shown below in Fig. 2. The prevalence of ectoparasites was found significantly higher in rural areas (61.83%) as compared to the urban areas (38.16%). Infestation rate of each prevalent ectoparasite was also compared in both of the location. The results for ticks, mites, lice, fleas and flies were also recorded higher in rural areas than urban areas as have been depicted in the Table 10 below. There was no significant difference was observed among various breeds of the dog. But the percentage was highest in the Doberman (73.71%; 373/506), followed in order by Alsatian, Bullterrier, Russian, Pointer, Labrador, and German Shepard whiles lowest value was found in cross-bred (6.66%; 1/15) as has been painted in Table 11. DISCUSSION Infestation of ectoparasites is a tarnished peril to the dog population in Pakistan. The current research was conducted in order to study basic epidemiological parameters on the prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation and associated risk factors in dog population. Moreover, hematological parameters of infested and non-infested animals were also determined to see the impact of ectoparasites on these parameters, which ultimately show the losses and threats sustained by the dog owner of district Faisalabad, Punjab (Pakistan). In this study a very high overall prevalence of ectoparasites was recorded for dogs (56.75 %) in district Faisalabad. This prevalence recommends that these ectoparasites are very common and present main difficulties with respect to the health, use and presentations of these significant animals in the study area. This observation supports findings from Debre Zeit and from Nekempte in western Oromia in Ethiopia (Alcaino and Gorman, 1999). It also agrees with reports from elsewhere in the world (Alcaino and Gorman, 1999; Alcaino et al., 2002; Beck et al., 2006; Rinaldi et al., 2007 and Hassan et al., 2012). 183

Reports about the prevalence percentage of ectoparasites in dog population have been documented from various countries of the world. Literature about the prevalence of tick specie has been published by various scientists, which showed the prevalence of Riphicephalus singuinus 98.3% in Pakistan (Hassan et al., 2012), 77.4% in Thailand (Nuchjangreed and Somprasong, 2007) and 7.14% (Mosallanejad et al., 2011) in Iran, 40.0% (Mbaya et al., 2008) in Ethiopia, 100% (Evangelista et al., 2003) in Mexico, 89.6% (Agbolade et al., 2008), 19.2% (Ugochukwu et al., 1985) in Nigeria, 7.8% (Silveira et al., 2009), 27% (Szabo et al., 2011) in Brazil, 45.6% in Korea (Chee et al., 2008) and 11.42% in Pakistan (Hassan et al., 2012). Other reported species are Ixodes ricinus, (72.1%), Ixodes hexagonus Leach (21.7%) and Ixodes canisuga (5.6%) about Hyalomma anatolicum (1.66%) in Pakistan (Hassan et al., 2012), Boophilus microplus (10.9%) in Thiland (Nuchjangreed and Somprasong, 2007). These reports strengthen our results that Riphicephalus singuinus is the highly prevalent specie of ticks, which infest the dog population round the globe. Presence of Hyalomma anatolicum and Boophilus microplus in the study area also in line with the above mentioned documentation from various countries of the world. These results indicate that these three are major genera of ticks, which infest the dog population. As have mentioned earlier, the prevalence % of ticks varies from country to country. This may be due to fluctuation in the temperature and relative humidity at different places because both have major impact at the growth of these ectoparasites. The reported species of mites infesting dog population include; Demodex canis 3% in India (Nayak et al., 1997), 18.6% in Korea (Kalyan et al., 2005) and 13.31% in china (Chen et al., 2012). Other species of mites include 9.33% Demodex follicularum in Ethiopia (Ugochukwu et al., 1985), 5.56% Sarcoptic scabie in Iran (Mosallanejad et al., 2011), 64.3% in India (Gracia et al., 2008) and 4.76% Otodectes cynotis in Iran. Gracia et al. (2008) reports about prevalent species of fleas infesting dog population of various countries include 76 % C. canis in Albania (Amin, 1966). Reports about lice prevalence include Iran 8.73% Heterodoxus spinigera in Iran (Gracia et al., 2008), 4% Heterodoxus spiniger in Ethiopia (Kumsa et al., 2011), and 10.6% Trichodectes canis in Nigeria (Ugbomoiko et al., 20081). A number of factors are affecting the percentage of ectoparasitic infestation in animals including season, habitat, altitude, breed, sex and age (Alcaino et al., 2002 ). This variation in the prevalence may be due to the environment variability in different countries of the world. But the presence of ectoparasites round the globe showed that dog population is under thraeat of these parasites. Although the differences were not statistically significant, the infestation rates by overall ectoparasites were higher in female than in males. This observation is in agreement with other studies (Gracia et al., 2008) which have also reported a greater susceptibility of females for ectoparasites. Some behavioural factors specific to females (a most important confining of females during reproductive period could favour re-infestations by ectoparasites in the domestic areas) would be responsible for this tendency. Secondly, the most probable reason for this is that female individuals usually have a longer lifespan than the male individuals. Male individuals also spend more time off the host and are therefore more prone to predation or starvation than female individuals (Parola and Raoult, 2001). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in the prevalence of ectoparasite infestation between young and adult dogs, which may be due to young animals being confined to houses and therefore having greater exposure to ectoparasites infestation, 184

as well as less efficient grooming behaviour than adult (Beck et al., 2006). Secondly, the poor immune system of young and old weak animals also favors the ectoparasites to grow and nourish at these animals. This may increase the infestation rate in these animals. Ectoparasites were found on dogs throughout the monitoring period, although, higher loads of ticks were collected during rainy months than during dry months. Monthly maximum and minimum environmental temperatures appeared to affect the tick population, although it was difficult to isolate the effect of temperature from that of rainfall. Greater loads of ticks per dog were` observed during the periods with lower maximum and higher minimum temperatures. This might be due to the fact that female dogs usually form a sedentary habit during care of their new born or offspring where they are easily infested by ticks. Similarly, (Gracia et al., 2008) reported that female dogs are highly susceptible to tick infestation than the male animal. The infestation was higher in adolescent dogs than the adult hosts and young dogs were the least infested animals. This finding is in line with the report by (Rehbein et al., 2003) who reported that adult and adolescent dogs were more infested by ticks than the young animals. This might be due to much attention and care given to the young dogs than the adult and adolescent which are left to roam indiscriminately predisposing them to contact with ticks. The stray dogs showed higher infestation compared to the mixed and Alsatian breeds. These findings are in accordance to the works of (Younus et al., 1988) who reported higher infestation of ticks in the local breed of dogs than the exotic breeds. This could possibly due to the fact that Alsatian dogs are kept by high income earners that provide attention; sanitation and health care to the exotic breeds, also the economic value of Alsatian dogs are higher than others due to its efficient services and intelligence. Most mongrels and mixed breeds are free-ranging, a situation which exposes them to frequent contact with ticks, than the exotic breeds. Fluctuations in the temperature and humidity in the study area divides the area into four seasons. Different seasons favour the development of different ectoparasites (Soulsby and Helminths,1982). This may increase the number of ticks in summer, fleas and flies in springs, lice and mites in the winter. In t he present study, the ectoparasitic burden during each month of the study duration remained same, which may be due to equal attention of the owner during the whole period of the year. But little increased in the warm season has been observed. According to the period of sampling in the year, the overall ectoparasite infestation rate significantly increased during the warm season (spring + summer). In Egypt (Amin, 1966) found a greater number of adult ectoparasites during spring and summer than in autumn and winter. Alcaino and. Gorman (1999) established that ectoparasites were predominant in spring in Chile, but their populations began to decline at the beginning of summer and completely disappeared in autumn. For C. canis, it was considered that the most favourable months for adults were November to May (summerautumn), maybe due to the higher temperature and humidity, whereas the most unfavourable period was from July to October (winter-spring), due to low temperature and humidity. It has been also described that two peaks of abundance of ectoparasites in El Cairo, one in spring, as a result of the increase in temperature after winter, and another in autumn, as a result of the increase in humidity after summer. Our observations show that ectoparasites species found on domestic dogs are present during all the year in the Faisalabad, Pakistan, but C. canis population increases in spring and summer months, when temperatures rise suddenly. Higher prevalence of ectoparasites in rural areas as compared to urban areas might be due the fact that in rural areas, pet animals are mostly kept in close vicinity of other domestic animals including 185

ruminants. This practice also made the dog population most susceptible for various species of ectoparasites in the study area (Personal observation). Secondly, dog may attain the infestation from the heaps of dung of animals, as most of the larval stages of various ectoparasites grow there. No significant variation was observed in the six tehsils of district Faisalabad. This might be due to same environment and husbandry practices in the study area. Secondly, the geographical location of the area is such that, there is no variability of in the environment (Personal observation). Significantly, higher prevalence of ectoparasites in stray dogs may be due to their roaming habits at different places. From where they took the ectoparasites and transmit at another place and cause higher prevalence in the locality. Second highest prevalence was recorded in the Guard dog, which may be due to the confinement of these dogs at the particular place (Personal observation). In the present study, the ectoparasitic burden during each month of the study duration remained same, which may be due to equal attention of the owner during the whole period of the year. Thus in conclusion, the global warming and suitability of the climate, lack of knowledge, poor management & hygiene specifically in Pakistan have made it necessary to develop an integrated ectoparasitic control programme at International and National levels, respectively. RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the results of present study, the following recommendations are suggested for future research and for an effective and sustainable ectoparasite control programme. Wide scaled national extension programme should be launched for the dog holder. Less susceptible breeds should be selected in breeding programmes. Habitat management should be a priority in National Livestock management programmes. The role ofectoparsites in the transmission of various protozoan diseases is well reported throughout the world. Further research in the areas of ectoparasitic burden for protozoan diseases and estimation of economic losses specifically caused by ectoparasitic borne diseases should be planned in the areas at risk. Moreover, a wide ranged epidemiological survey at provincial and national levels needs to be conducted through modified techniques in order to provide the baseline data for planning an effective ectoparasite control programme in the country. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author would like to thanks Dr. Zafar Iqbal on providing the facilities during my research. I would also thankful to my lab mates for their nice company during my stay in lab. REFERENCES Amin, O.M. (1966). The fleas (Siphonaptera) of Egypt: distribution and seasonal dynamics of fleas infesting dogs in the Nile Valley and Delta. J. Med. Entomol., 3: 293-298. Alcaino, H.A. and T.R. Gorman (1999). Parasitos de los animales domesticos en Chile. Parasitol., 23: 33-41. Alcaino, H.A., T.R. Gorman and R. Alcaino (2002). Fleas species from dogs in three citieshile. Vet. Parasitol., 105: 261 265. Agbolade, M., E.O. Soetan, A. Awesu and J.A. Ojo, (2008). Somoye and ST Raufu, Ectoparasites of Domestic Dogs in Some Ijebu Communities, Southwest. Nigeria, Wld. Appl. Sci. J., 6: 916-920. Beck, W., K. Boch, H. Mackensen, B. Wiegand and K. Pfister (2006). Qualitative and quantitative observations on the flea population dynamics of dogs and cats in several areas of Germany. Vet. Parasitol., 137: 130-136. 186

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