Incidence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs presented at University of Nigeria, Nsukka Veterinary Teaching Hospital using wet smear and buffy coat techniques

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence of Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) in dogs using the wet mount and buffy coat techniques for rapid detection of microfilaria in blood samples collected from dogs, to compare the two techniques for quick detection, to find if there is age susceptibility in the incidence of dirofilariasis in dogs presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and to find out if there are breed and sex variations in the incidence of dirofilariasis in dogs presented at Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.MethodsBlood samples were collected from the cephalic vein of 119 dogs. The blood samples were aseptically collected via cephalic venepuncture of each dog, collected into a tube containing ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid as anticoagulant, stored in an ice pack box at 5 °C and processed and examined for microfilaria using wet mount and buffy coat techniques.ResultsA total of 4 dogs were positive for D. immitis microfilaria giving a prevalence of 3.36%, more male (4.83%) than female (1.75%) dogs were affected in this study. Although there was no significant difference between both groups, the prevalence was the highest in cross breeds (6.66%), moderate in local breeds (3.63%) and absent in exotic breeds (0.00%). Although there was no significant (P < 0.05) difference amongst the 3 groups, only adult dogs were found positive for D. immitis microfilaria.ConclusionsBased on the results of this present study, both the wet mount and buffy coat techniques can be used at the discretion of the clinician and in the absence of modified Knott's filter test, ELISA test and other diagnostic imaging techniques, in the rapid detection of microfilaria in blood samples from suspected cases of dirofilariasis.