Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among Dogs slaughtered at various areas in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria

Gastrointestinal parasites are among the main entero-pathogens and the major cause of mortality in dogs. The study is to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites among dogs slaughtered at various areas in Calabar. Seventy-five (75) samples were gotten from the slaughter point. The collected samples were examined using direct wet Mount method which involves small amount of the sample is placed on a microscope slide, mixed with saline or iodine, and covered with a coverslip. Thirty-eight (38) out of the seventy-five (75) samples were positive with parasites representing a prevalence of 50.66 % and mean intensity of 0.51. This study shows that male (40) (53.33%) dogs were more infected than the female (35) (46.66%) with no significant different between one slaughter and another at P< 0.05. The parasites isolated from this study were Spirocerca spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp., Toxocara spp, Acanthocephalans spp and Giardia spp. T. Understanding the risk factors and prevalence of these infections is therefore essential for implementing effective control measures such as regular deworming, improved hygiene, veterinary surveillance, and breeder education to safeguard both canine and human health.