IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 9, Issue 8 Ver. I (Aug. 2016), PP 39-42 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/2380-0908013942 www.iosrjournals.org 39 | Page Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Hunting Dogs in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria F.B Mustapha 1 , S.B Balami 1 , S.A Malgwi 2 , S.G Adamu 1 and Y.Wakil 3 1 Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. 3 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Abstract: This study was geared towards investigating the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of hunting dogs in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria. A total of 250 feacal samples were collected per rectum. The parasites were determined using formol ether and floatation concentration methods. An overall prevalence of 38% for gastrointestinal infection was recorded. The prevalence was higher in young 39(48.1%) than adults 56(33.1%). The prevalence in relation to sex shows that males had a higher prevalence 42(40.8%) than the females 56(33.1%). The prevalence of infection according to sex and age was statistically not significant (p < 0.05). This study provides evidence that gastrointestinal parasitic infection are prevalent in hunting dogs in the study area with some of the infections being zoonotic a public health risk to man. Keywords: Borno state, Gastrointestinal, Hunting dogs, Nigeria, Prevalence. I. Introduction Dogs are the most successful canids adapted to human habitation worldwide [1]. Recent genetic fossil and DNA evidence shows that dogs were early as 100,000 years ago [2]. The intelligence of these animals has been explain by man, and this has made dogs useful to man for various activities, which includes hunting, retrieving, herding, rescue operations, tracking and guidance [3]. Dogs are also considered as loyal friends and compatriots to man [4]. Despite the substantial benefits derived from keeping dog. Dogs also act as reservoir for a large number of parasitic zoonoses such as toxocariosis and ancylostomosis especially in developing countries and communities that are socio-economically disadvantaged [5]. The common council signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal parasite infection in dogs include nausea, vomiting, fever, weightloss, anaemia, dull hair coat and sudden death [6]. With increasing number of security and hunting dogs in Maiduguri there is more contact between dogs and people and exposing humans to zoonotic parasites. The transmission of these parasites could be by direct contact with dog and indirectly with the dog excretions and secretions [7]. Despite the extensive work carried on intestinal parasites of dogs in various parts of the country especially in Maiduguri, there is paucity of information on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in hunting dogs in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria. Thus this study was undertaken in the study area. II. Materials And Methods Study Area This study was carried out in Maiduguri, the capital and largest urban city of Borno state, in the north eastern part of Nigeria. It is cosmopolitan in nature, situated at an elevation of 354 meters above sea level, located between latitudes 11 o and 14 o N and longitudes 10 o and 14 o E, within the conventional Sahel zone and has a total land mass of 50,778 square kilometers [8]. It has a population density 1,738 people per square kilometers, and a total population of 521,492[9]. It is bordered by the Republic of Niger to the north, Cameroon republic to the east and to the northeast by Chad Republic, within the country its neighbouring states are Adamawa to the south, Yobe to the west and Gombe to the southwest. The temperature ranges from 35-40 o C for the most parts of the year with 2 distinct seasons, a rainy season with a mean annual rainfall of 647mm from July to October and a prolonged dry season for the rest of the year [10]. The state derives great economic activity from its rich livestock and fishery production [9]. Sample Size Estimation. The sample size was determined using formular of thrustfield [11]. Using a previous prevalence of 13.8% [12] and the calculated sample size was 183 samples for more precision 250 feacal samples were collected from hunting dogs.