title: Ixodid ticks, fleas and lice infesting dogs and cats in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia.
abstract: This study investigated the prevalence, risk factors and species composition of ticks, fleas  and lice infesting dogs and cats in and around Hawassa in southern Ethiopia. In total, 200  dogs and 100 cats were examined from November 2008 to April 2009. Of the dogs and cats  examined, 99.5% and 91.5%, respectively, were infested with one or more species of ticks, fleas  or lice. The overall prevalence was higher in dogs than in cats. A total of six different species  of ectoparasites were collected and identified from dogs, but only three species from cats.  Ctenocephalides felis was the predominant species amongst the animals, with a prevalence of  82.9% on dogs and 67% on cats. Other prevalent species on dogs included Ctenocephalides canis (73.8%), Heterodoxus spiniger (4%), nymphs of Amblyomma spp. (3.5%), Pulex irritans (2.5%) and Haemaphysalis leachi (0.5%). C. canis (18%) and P. irritans (6%) were also found on cats. More female than male fleas and lice were observed. The study revealed that the prevalence of fleas, ticks and lice on dogs was not significantly different between male and female animals or between young and adult dogs. However, the prevalence of these ectoparasites was significantly higher in female than in male and in adult than in young cats. The study showed that the prevalence of ectoparasites on both dogs and cats was significantly higher on animals with flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) than those without FAD, and on animals with lesions on  their skin compared with those without lesions.
authors: Department of Parasitology, Addis Ababa University. bersissak@yahoo.com.
authors: Bersissa E
authors: BE
authors: Kumsa
authors: Shewit
authors: S
authors: Mekonnen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D058267:Flea Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000254:growth & development; D010373:Lice Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008003:Phthiraptera / Q000254:growth & development; D015995:Prevalence; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000254:growth & development; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*