A retrospective study of parasitic diseases of dogs and cats in Jalingo, North-Eastern Nigeria between 1998 and 2008

A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the parasitic diseases diagnosed in dogs and cats at the Jalingo Veterinary Hospital, between 1998 and 2008. Of the 6088 cases examined within the study period, helminthosis had the highest occurrence of 3041 (49.95%) which was statistically significant (p 0.05). This was followed by Ectoparasites and Haemoparasites (babesiosis) having 1922 (31.57%) and 1125 (18.48%) respectively. Yearly analysis showed, 1998 had 1204 (19.78%) number of cases which was the highest. This was followed by 1999 with 1146 (18.82%) and 2002 with 832 (13.66%). The year 2008 recorded 598 (9.82%) followed by 2003 with 561 (9.21%), then 2004 with 446 (7.33%), 2000 with 359 (5.90%) and 2005 with 322 (5.29%). The years 2001 and 2007 had the lowest number of cases and were 314 (5.16%) and 306 (5.03%) respectively. The differences between yearly distribution of the cases was statistically significant (p 0.05). Dogs and cats recorded 6077 (99.18%) and 11 (0.18%) number of cases respectively. Among dogs, 2663 (43.82%) of the parasitic diseases were encountered in adults while 3414 (56.18%) of the diseases were in young. In cats, 4 (36.36%) of the diseases occurred in adults while 7 (63.64%) occurred in the young. Based on sex 2104 (34.62%) of the cases occurred in male dogs while 3973 (65.38%) occurred in females. In cats, 2 (18.18%) of the cases occurred in male cats while 9 (81.82%) of the cases were in female. The differences in the distribution of cases in relation to age and sex were statistically insignificant (p 0.05).