Introduction

Trypanosomosis is one of the major diseases of dogs in Nsukka area, Enugu state of Nigeria. Microscopy is the widely used method of diagnosis and the most reported pathogens are the human infective trypanosomes Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense, in addition to T. b. brucei, and T. congolense. Microscopy alone cannot distinguish within the subspecies of Trypanozoon group.

Objectives

To investigate the most prevalent subspecies of T. brucei infecting dogs in the study area.

Methods

We conducted physical examination on the trypanosomes-infected dogs and collected appropriate history from the dog owners. We used ITS 1 primer and sequence analysis to study the sub species of T. brucei.

Results

Sequence analysis detected T. b. gambiense, T. evansi, and T. congolense in the infected dogs. Anemia evident in low PCV, Hb, RBCs, and fever were common in the infected dogs. The chief complaints were change in eye colour and gradual loss or complete loss of appetite. The common observations during physical examination were corneal opacity and enlargement of superficial lymph nodes. Some serum biochemical changes were noticed in the infected sampled dogs.

Conclusions

T. b. gambiense, T. evansi, and T. congolense were responsible for canine trypanosomosis in the study area, which suggest that dogs could be reservoirs of infections in humans and animals in the study area. The disease caused decrease in PCV, RBC, Hb, serum albumin, and increase in serum BUN in most of the infected dogs.