EctOParaSitE SPEciES FOUNd ON dOmEStic dOgS FrOm PattaYa diStrict, cHON BUri PrOViNcE, tHaiLaNd

The prevalences of ectoparasites and their densities were determined. A total of 460 ectoparasites were collected from 83 untreated household dogs in Pattaya District, Chon Buri Province. Four hundred and six ticks were found and classified into two species: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n = 356, 77.4%), and Boophilus microplus (n = 50, 10.9%). All fleas found on the studied dogs were Ctenocephalides canis (n = 54, 11.7%). Sixty-seven dogs were infested with ticks and the prevalence rate of tick-harboring domestic dogs was 80.7%. Only 21 dogs were infested with fleas, resulting in a prevalence rate of 26.5%. The densities of R. sanguineus, B. microplus and Ct. canis infestations in the dogs were 5.4, 2.6, and 2.6, respectively. The stages of R. sanguineus were larvae (0.6%), nymphs (1.7%), adult males (49.4%) and adult females (48.3%). The stages of B. microplus were nymphs (16%) and adult females (84%). For Ct. canis, only adult stages (5.7% males and 94.3% females) were found. The results indicate that R. sanguineus is the most prominent species of ectoparasite found on household dogs, followed by Ct. canis. B. microplus, which is commonly found on cattle, was also found on dogs. The fleas seemed to be less of a problem than ticks, and flea larvae were not discovered on domestic dogs in this area.