Ectoparasites of dogs the City of Apodi, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Abstract

This study had as goal ectoparasitos identification of domiciled or wandering dogs proceeding from the city of Apodi, Rio Grande do Norte. Of january by decembre of 2008, 110 dogs were examined for presence of ectoparasites. The parasites were manually collected, preserved in alcohol 70ºGL and identified with the aid of a microscope and stereomicroscope. The infestation for tick attacked 47 dogs (55.9%), being more frequente the parasitism by Rhipicephalus sanguineus that parasitava 44 dogs (52.4%), followed by R. microplus (2.4%) and Dermacentor nitens (1.2%). Infestaçõe mixed attacked 22 dogs (26.2%), being more frequente for R. sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis (14.3%). Of the animals parasitados, C. felis was the only species of flea identified in this study, parasitizing 15 dogs (17.8%) from the total of examined animals. The species of found lice were H. spiniger in mixed infestations with R. sanguineus and C. felis. The results indicated that the studied animals are ectoparasites important hosts that can act as vectors of several infectious agents for other animals and for humans.