Seasonal frequency of ectoparasite infestation in dogs from Shiraz, southern Iran

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of canine ectoparasite infestation in pet dogs from the Shiraz area of southern Iran, with no known exposure to insecticides. In all, 160 dogs were examined for ectoparasites in each of the 4 seasons and samples were collected. The most common ectoparasite was Ctenocephalides canis, which infested 22 of the 160 dogs. Pulex irritans was identified on 2 of the dogs and 142 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were found on 13 dogs. Trichodectes canis was observed on 2 dogs and 8 dogs had Hippobosca flies, which were seen mostly in spring. All superficial skin scrapes for mite detection were negative. A significant correlation was observed between increases in temperature and decreases in humidity, and increased ectoparasite infestation (r = 0.26; P = 0.001 and r = 0.23; P = 0.004, respectively). The number of dogs infested with ectoparasites in summer and spring was significantly higher than in winter (P = 0.007).