Parasitic diseases as causes of mortality in dogs in Kenya. A retrospective study of 351 cases (1984–1998)

Abstract

A 15-year (1984 - 1998) retrospective study using post mortem records was carried out at the University of Nairobi Veterinary School to evaluate the role of parasitic diseases as causes of mortality in dogs. Of the 2492 dogs presented, 351 (14%) were diagnosed as having died from parasitic causes. Gastro-intestinal helminths accounted for 68% of all parasitic conditions with ancylostomiasis as the leading cause of mortality (41%). Ancylostomiasis mainly affected young puppies. Spirocercosis was the second most important parasitic condition with 78 dogs (22%) affected with this disease. There was a marked decline in the number of spirocercosis cases during the last three years of the study (1996-1998).