%0 Journal Article %T Parasites of importance for human health in Nigerian dogs: high prevalence and limited knowledge of pet owners %A Uade Ugbomoiko %A Liana Ariza %A Jorg Heukelbach %J BMC Veterinary Research %D 2008 %I BioMed Central %R 10.1186/1746-6148-4-49 %X In a community-based study, we examined 396 dogs in urban and rural areas of Ilorin (Kwara State, Central Nigeria) for ectoparasites and intestinal helminths. In addition, a questionnaire regarding knowledge and practices was applied to pet owners.Nine ectoparasite species belonging to four taxa and six intestinal helminth species were identified: fleas (Ctenocephalides canis, Pulex irritans, Tunga penetrans), mites (Demodex canis, Otodectes sp., Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis), ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ixodes sp.), and lice (Trichodectes canis); and Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma sp., Trichuris vulpis, Dipylidium caninum, Taenidae and Strongyloides sp. Overall prevalence of ectoparasites was 60.4% and of intestinal helminths 68.4%. The occurrence of C. canis, R. sanguineus, T. canis, Ancylostoma sp. and T. vulpis was most common (prevalence 14.4% to 41.7%). Prevalence patterns in helminths were age-dependent, with T. canis showing a decreasing prevalence with age of host, and a reverse trend in other parasite species. Knowledge regarding zoonoses was very limited and the diseases not considered a major health problem. Treatment with antiparasitic drugs was more frequent in urban areas.Parasites of importance for human health were highly prevalent in Nigerian dogs. Interventions should include health education provided to dog owners and the establishment of a program focusing on zoonotic diseases.Dogs are the most successful canids, adapted to human habitation worldwide. They have contributed to physical, social and emotional well-being of their owners, particularly children [1,2]. However, in spite of the beneficial effects, close bonds of dogs and humans (in combination with inappropriate human practices and behaviour) remain a major threat to public health, with dogs harbouring a bewildering number of infective stages of parasites transmissible to man and other domestic animals [2-4]. For example, well-known and important zoonotic diseases are cutaneous and vi %U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/4/49