Author(s): Rabeya Begam, Pallabi Devi, Kanta Bhattacharjee, Sanjana Bora, Nabanita Thakuria and Abhijit Deka

Abstract: A study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of fleas in dogs and cats in Guwahati city from August 2020 to July 2021. A total of 244 dogs and 120 cats were examined, out of which 55 dogs and 24 cats were found to be infested with fleas. For morphological identification, 388 fleas and 252 fleas were collected from infested dogs and cats respectively. Fleas were highly prevalent in stray dogs (76.0%) and cats (62.4%) than in pet dogs (17.5%) and cats (13.2%). The prevalence of flea infestation was higher in young dogs (51.4%) and cats (36.3%) than in adult dogs (37.1%) and cats (32.3%). Two species of fleas were identified namely Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis. On dogs, the prevalence of C. canis alone was 62.0%, whereas that of C. felis alone was 38.0%. Prevalence of C. felis only on cats was 90.0% whereas that of C. canis alone was 10.0%. Mixed infestation of C. canis and C. felis were recorded in 10 dogs and 2 cats. These two flea species C. canis and C. felis infesting the host causes irritation, dermatitis and also act as a vector of many diseases, therefore the proper control of these flea is necessary in dogs and cats to prevent flea borne diseases.

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i3Sg.818