Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases

Skin affections are reported to be the most common problem affecting pet animals. Hard ticks (Ixodidae) and fleas (Siphonaptera) are considered the most important external parasites infesting dogs. 117 dogs were naturally clinically infested with ticks and fleas from 514 dogs were examined. Fecal, ticks and fleas samples were collected. Ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus and fleas as Ctenocephalides felis felis. The diseased dogs were grouped on the basis of their age, breed, sex and according to season. Dogs less than 1 year were more prone to the infection. Male dogs highly infested with fleas than females but females highly infested with ticks than male. The highest incidence of ectoparasites was recorded in German shepherd dogs and in spring then summer. The most common clinical signs recorded in dogs infested by ticks and fleas were emaciation, anaemia and pale mucous membrane, itching, biting of tail and lumbosacral region alopecia. The clinical signs of flea infestations were hair loss, flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) and flea excreta. Microscopical examination of fecal sample collected from dogs infested by ectoparasites, revealed Dipylidium caninum egg nest and Toxocara canis egg

Issued also as CD