intestinal helminthoses in dogs in kaduna metropolis, kaduna state, nigeria

background: intestinal helminths in dogs provide a potential source of infection in humans due to the close contact be­tween humans and dogs. due to the limited information on parasites infecting dogs in kaduna state, nigeria, a cross sec­tional study was conducted with the aim of determining the diversity and prevalence of intestinal helminths of dogs in the area. methods: during the survey, 160 gastrointestinal tracts of dogs killed for meat selected by simple sampling technique were collected and examined for helminths in kaduna metropolis, latitude 10 0 50 i   n and longitude 7 0 50 i e. results: of the helminths found, dipylidium caninum (75.0%), taenia hydatigena (43.8%), diphyllobothrium latum (6.3%), ancylostoma caninum (6.3%) and toxocara canis (6.3%) were the most common. female dogs were more likely of contacting intestinal helminths than male dogs (rr = 1.125). higher mean worm burden was recorded for dogs infected by t. hydatigena and d. caninum than dogs infected by t. canis, d. latum or a. caninum . conclusion: the presence of these parasites in dogs examined indicates a potential public health problem in kaduna me­tropolis. mass enlightenment of dog keepers on the need for periodic veterinary care and restriction of stray dogs through legislation formulation and enforcement are recommended as possible control measures.