DETAIL MORPHOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION AND PREVALENCE OF DOG FLEA (Ctenocephalides canis) AND CAT FLEA (Ctenocephalides felis) in Dhaka City

Abstract

Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis are the most important ectoparasites of dogs and cats throughout the world; they themselves affect the host and act as vectors of diseases. The main aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and identify the morphological properties of Ctenocephalides spp. in both stray and pet dogs and cats in Dhaka City. Typical morphological characteristics were observed in both species. The two species were separated according to the shape of the head, length of the first spine of the genal comb, number of bristles on the lateral metanotal area (LMA), the number of short stout bristles in the interval between the postmedian and apical long bristles of the dorsal margin of the hind tibia. Males were further identified by the shape of the manubrium of the clasper and females were identified by observing the size of the hilla of spermatheca at the posterior end. A total of 25 flea infested dogs and 25 flea infested cats were found from 57 dogs and 77 cats, respectively. In this study, a higher prevalence of flea was recorded in both dogs (43.86%) and cats (32.47%). A higher prevalence was recorded in stray dogs (61.11%) and cats (79.17%) than that in pet dogs (14.29%) and cats (11.32%). The prevalence of flea infestation was 48.28% in young dogs and 39.29% in adult dogs, respectively. In case of cat, 34.62% young and 31.37% adult were found to be infested by fleas. Among the examined fleas of dogs, 9 (60%) were C. canis and 6 (40%) were C. felis. Again, among the examined fleas of cats, 2 (13.33%) were C. canis and 13 (86.77%) were C felis. Of the 11 C. canis identified, were 8 (72.73%) female fleas and 3(27.27%) male fleas. Of the 19 examined C. felis identified as 18 (94.74%) were female fleas and 1 (5.26%) male flea. Both fleas have public health significance. Therefore, proper attention needs to be paid for the prevention of flea borne diseases through the control of dogs and cats.