PREVALENCE OF CANINE DEMODICOSIS IN ORISSA (INDIA)

Examination of the records of 12 hospitals from the five districts of Orissa showed that 50,987 dogs were presented for treatment during the period of 5 years covering 1987-1988 to 1991-1992. Demodicosis was de tected in 1697 (3%) cases. There was no difference in the occurrence o f the disease in male (51%) and female (49%) dogs. The disease was rec orded in 60%, 23% and 17% of dogs up to 1 year, 1-2 years and above 2 years of age respectively, suggesting that young dogs up to I year of age are more susceptible. Further study revealed that Tibetan apso are more susceptible (47%) than Doberman (23%), Alsatian (18%) and mongre ls (12%). A total of 912 dogs with natural dermatitis were examined du ring the 5-year period and 35% of the dogs were found to have demodico sis. Out of these, 208 dogs (65%) had localised lesions and 111 (35%) had generalised lesions. The study revealed that dogs up to 1 year of age are more frequently affected (60%) than dogs of 1-2 years (23%) an d above 2 years of age (17%). There was no difference between the susc eptibility of male (49%) and female (51%) dogs. The prevalence was hig h in Tibetan apso (41%) as compared to Doberman (26%), Alsatian (16%) and mongrels (17%). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.