Incidence of Furuncular Myiasis due to Cordylobia anthropophaga (Blanchard, 1872) Larvae Infestation and Associated Risk Factors on Dogs in Ilorin Metropolis, North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

It is impossible to overstate the dangers that an infestation of Cordylobia anthropophaga (Blanchard, 1872) larvae poses, particularly to household pets. This study aims to ascertain the prevalence of furuncular myiasis in dogs presented to private and public veterinary clinics in the Nigerian state of Kwara, specifically in the capital of Ilorin, caused by the larvae of C. anthropophaga. With three distinguishing slits and two posterior spiracles, the 84 larvae that were removed from 61/268 (22.76%) dogs infected with myiasis were recognized as third-stage C. anthropophaga larvae. According to the data gathered, Cordylobiosis is also more common in female dogs (34/55.7%) than in male dogs (27/44.3%). The prevalence of infestation varied in each age group with dogs under 6 months old having the highest infestation frequency (48, or 78.7%), whereas dogs over 25 had the lowest incidence (6, or 9.8%). As the rainy season progresses, the prevalence of this illness drops gradually, with October seeing the lowest rate. It peaks in June, affecting 27.87% of all the animals examined. Among all canines, 18 (29.50%) were used as pets; the lowest prevalence was exhibited by 1 (1.63%) in the case of guard and hunting dogs. The breed that is least afflicted, with only 2 recorded occurrences, is the Chow chow, whilst German shepherd breeds (26.20%) are the most prone to this ailment. The possibility of this parasite spreading to humans through animals is a major worry for hunters, breeders, and pet owners in Ilorin and around the nation.