General health conditions in the dog population of Lilongwe

Abstract: In many cases, disease in the animal population is regarded as only an animal health issue, but may often also constitute a risk to public health. This applies especially in developing countries where people often are living under conditions of extreme poverty and then often in close proximity to their animals. It is often cheaper to prevent diseases within the animal population than it is to treat disease in the human population. However, to prevent diseases in a population it is important to know which infectious diseases are circulating. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of selected infectious diseases in the dog population in Lilongwe, Malawi, by testing a sample population of 100 dogs. Samples were collected from 40 free roaming dogs and 40 dogs kept chained outdoors, all participating in vaccination and spaying campaigns. In addition, samples were collected from 20 dogs visiting the Lilongwe Society for Protection and Care of Animals veterinary clinic as clients. In total 100 blood samples and 40 faecal samples were analysed and 100 dogs went through a general physical exam including getting their coats checked for ectoparasites. The blood samples were analysed using commercial snap tests and the faecal samples by faecal floatation in saturated NaCl. The sampled population had a prevalence of 12% for Anaplasma spp, 22% for Ehrlichia canis, 4% for Dirofilaria immitis and 1% for Leishmania spp. No dogs were positive for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi. Eggs from Ancylostoma spp were found in 80% of the collected faecal samples. Trichuris vulpis, Toxocara canis and Toxoscaris leonine were not as common with a prevalence of 2.5%, 7.5% and 12.5% respectively. There was a high prevalence of ectoparasites, especially fleas which were present on 97.5% of the sampled community dogs and also lice that were present on 25.0%. Ticks were not as common with a prevalence of 11.3%. Ectoparasites were not as common on the client dogs, assumingly because of regular treatment with different spot-on medication and lesser contact with other dogs and infected environment.