Prevalence, Risk Factors, Haematological and Biochemical Changes Associated with Haemotropic Mycoplasma Infection of Dogs in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, risk factors, haematological and biochemical changes associated with  haemotropic Mycoplasma infection in dogs presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, ederal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta     UNAAB). A total of 70 dogs were examined; their ages, breeds and sexes were recorded. Blood samples were collected for haematological  and biochemical analysis. Data was summarized as mean ± standard deviation. Association between risk factors and  infection was determined using Chi Square while difference between mean values in infected and non-infected dogs was tested using  student’s t-test. The overall prevalence of 14 (20%) was recorded. The prevalence was slightly higher 9 (20.9%) in adult  dogs, as well as in  females 8 (22.2%%) and the breed Samoyed 2 (40.0%). The mean PCV in infected dogs was 33.4±7.60 while that of non-infected dogs was 35.1±9.21. There was no significant difference in the haematological values between infected and non-infected dogs. There were also no  significant values in most of the biochemical parameters between infected and non-infected dogs, except for potassium which was  2.85±0.96 in infected and 3.97±0.58 in noninfected dogs; chlorine (81.93±16.82) and (98.95±11.82); glucose (87.91±25.82)  and  (115.33±32.21) as well as urea (21.45±10.84) and (14.83±4.01) in infected and non-infected dogs, respectively. However, in both cases, the  leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes count as well as urea concentration were higher than normal values. While only potassium and  chlorine concentration were lower than normal in the infected dogs, when compared to those in the reference values. In conclusion, the  prevalence of Mycoplasma infection was high in the study area. Dogs are at risk of infection by Mycoplasma organisms. Mycoplasma  infection did not cause haematological and biochemical changes, but haematological parameters suggested chronic diseases other than  mycoplasmosis.