author(s)
Michael Okpara Elom, Moses Nnaemeka Alo, Amos Nworie, Victor Udoh Usanga, Uchenna Iyioku Ugah, Lovelyn Ugonne Alegu

abstract
Parasitic zoonoses are of public health importance and can be maintained in a community through anthropozoonoses, zooanthroponoses and amphixenoses. A total of 100 domestic dogs from two areas (Ikwo and Ezza) of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, were examined for ecto-and intestinal parasites between October 2014 and February 2015, using systematic random sampling technique. The ectoparasites were collected by careful examination of the body surfaces and by combing and scraping of the skin. Prior to laboratory analysis, the recovered ectoparasites were preserved in 70% alcohol while the faecal specimens were collected and preserved in 5% formalin. Hand lenses and microscopes were used to carefully examine the morphological features of the ectoparasites for proper identification. The collected skin scrapings were put in 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH), cleared in xylene and DPX was applied for mounting. Floatation methods and formol ether concentration techniques were used to analyse the faecal specimens. Sixty eight (68.00%) of the dogs were infested with ectoparasites of different taxa while 55 (55.00%) of them were infected with 12 different species of intestinal parasites, with Ancylostoma caninum being the most prevalent. The prevalence of both ectoparasites and intestinal parasites were higher in Ezza than in Ikwo. In the two areas, the mean intensity and mean abundance of the ectoparasites were higher than those of the intestinal parasites. Female dogs were infected more than the males by both the ectoparasites and intestinal parasites. Dogs more than 1 year old were infested and infected more than the younger ones. There was high prevalence of parasites of great zoonotic importance. Public health enlightenment and establishment of veterinary clinics in the study area are recommended. Extension of the parasitological examinations to household members of the pet owners in the study area is highly advocated for further study.