Prevalence of Babesia Spp. in Presumably Healthy Dogs and Associated Risk Fators in OBIO/AKPOR Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Babesia canis is a parasitic protozoan transmitted by Ixodid ticks. It infects the red blood cells of most mammals especially dogs, causing canine babesiosis. In the present study, the prevalence of Babesia spp. and associated risk factors among dogs in Obio/Akpor Local Governemnt Area, Rivers State were investigated using blood film. Blood samples from 150 dogs were randomly collected and examined for the presence of the parasite with March and November, 2022. Blood films were prepared, fixed in methanol, stained in Giemsa and examined under the microscope for the presence of the parasite. Data on age, breed, sex and other related risk factors were obtained using self-structured questionnaire. Out of the 150 dogs examined, 27(18%) were infected and out of the 27 infected dogs, 3(11.1%), 10(37.0%), 2(7.4%), 6(22.2%), 2(7.4%) and 4(14.8%) were from Rumuolumeni, Ogbogoro, Rumuopirikon, Choba, Rumuola and Ozuaba communities respectively. There was a significance difference (p<0.05) in the number of infected dogs across the communities when compared to the number of dogs that were not infected . More males 12(19.4%) were infected than females 6(14.3%). Dogs within the age range of 7-36months had the highest infection 16(59.3%) while no infection was recorded among dogs within the age group of 3-6months. Local breed had the highest infection 18(36%) than crossed breed6(12%) and exotic breed 3(6%). There was a significance difference (p<0.05) in the prevalence of Babesia spp. in relation to sex, agePp and breed of dogs. Other risk factors identified were management practice, vaccination, use of dogs and intensity of tick infestation which were all statistically significance (p<0.05) The study confirmed that canine babesiosis is a serious health concern among dogs in the study area and attention should be given to the risk factors during intervention.