OPEN ACCESS Jacobs Journal of Veterinary Science and Research Puppy Morbidity and Mortality among Breeding Kennels in Nairobi, Kenya Andrew Matole Konde * , George Karuoya Gitau, Japheth Kiptoon and Daniel Gakuya University of Nairobi, Kenya *Corresponding author: Dr. Andrew Matole Konde, University of Nairobi, Kenya, P. O. Box 253 – 00606 Nairobi, Kenya, Tel: +254 (0720) 988 391, +254 (0771) 352 082; Email: andrewmatole@gmail.com Received: 07-03-2015 Accepted: 09-05-2015 Published: 09-29-2015 Copyright: © 2015 Andrew Research Article Cite this article: Matole Konde A. Puppy Morbidity and Mortality among Breeding Kennels in Nairobi, Kenya. J J Vet Sci Res. 2015, 1(4): 019. Abstract Aim The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of puppy morbidity and mortality in breeding kennels in Nairobi. Materials and methods A total of 35 kennels with 556 puppies were selected at random and a questionnaire administered. The study was carried out between 1st October 2013 and 31st March 2014. Faecal samples were taken to determine the levels of infestation to determine whether there was association with puppy morbidity and mortality. Results Among all kennels studied, puppy morbidity was noted to be at an average rate of 34.7% (193/556) while puppy mor- tality was 21.2% (118/556). The majority of the kennels, 57% (20/35), had puppy deaths with 3% (1/35) of the ken- nels experiencing puppy mortality in every other litter. There were puppy deaths in 34% (12/35) of the kennels but the puppy mortality was rare while 6% (2/35) reported no puppy mortality. Puppy morbidity was reported in 37.1% (13/35) of the kennels in every litter, 25.7% (9/35) had puppy morbidity in every other litter, 31.4% (11/35) rarely had puppy morbidity, whilst only 5.7% (2/35) reported no morbidity. Conclusion It is noted that puppy morbidity and mortality is prevalent in Nairobi (Kenya) at 34.7% and 21.2% respectively. There was no association between the age of the puppy and puppy mortality (p < 0.140) but there was positive association between the age of the puppy and puppy morbidity (p < 0.003). Keywords: Age; Litter; Worms; Population; Veterinary Introduction The dog to human population ratio is estimated to range from 1:4 - 1:11 [1-3, 33]. The human population of Kenya was estimated to be slightly over 43 million in 2012 [33, 37]. Using the dog human population ratio range of 1:8 – 1:11 [1, 3], Kenya today has an estimated dog population of between 3.6 and 4.8 million. Dog breeders in Kenya are in the business to produce show, companion or guard dogs with an observed stillbirth rate of about 2.3 %, pre-weaning mortality of 11.4 % and a pre-wean- ing culling rate of 0.9 % for German shepherd dogs [4]. Dog breeding is a thriving business in major cities in Kenya because pets are now filling a variety of roles in people’s lives [5]. Their roles vary from attractive avocation, toys, status symbols by choosing purebreds or specific breeds, identity markers in the simple act of being a pet-lover, utilitarian (as- sisting the disabled, herding livestock, providing security, or sniffing out bombs and narcotics) to providing companion- ship [5]. Dogs can also provide many positive psychological