PATHOLOGICAL AND MOLECUAR INVESTIGATION FOR DISEASES OF STRAY DOGS AT BANGLADESH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

Abstract

Stray dogs are the free roaming scavenger and an important inhabitant of the ecosystem of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) campus. They are suspected as a source of diseases for other animals, pets and human population of this area. This study was aimed to notify the probable diseases in stray dogs at BAU campus along with their zoonotic importance. During the study period from December, 2008 to February, 2009, a total of five randomly selected stray dogs were clinically examined and euthanized for thorough postmortem examination followed by enteric parasitic investigation, histopathological study and molecular detection for suspected diseases. Study reveals the incidence of endoparasites like Heart worm (60%), Ascariasis (40%), Hookworm (40%), whipworm (20%) and ectoparasites ticks and mites in 40% and 60% cases respectively. RT-PCR assay confirmed a suspected case of canine distemper as positive and suspicion for avian influenza proved negative. Suspected case for canine tuberculosis was ruled out by acid fast staining. A case of transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) and Anthracosis was also confirmed by histopathology. The detection of zoonotic significant canine parasites such as Dirofilaria immitis(Heart worm), Toxocara canis(Ascaria), Trichuris vulpis (Whipworm) and Sarcoptes scabies (Mite) indicates that stray dogs of BAU campus could be a potential cause of human illness.