Journal of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Journal of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

(ISSN: 2659 – 0743)

Volume 2, No. 1,  2020
Pages 145-149

Prevalence of Neonatal Mortality in Dogs and Its Associated Risk Factors in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Ogbu, K. I.1, Tion, M.T.3, Ochai, S. O.2, Olaolu, O. S.4, Oguche M. O.5, Olabode, M. P.5, Maimadu, A. A.1, Ibrahim, A. W.5, Malgwi, R. I.5, Gyendeng, J. G.1

1Department of Animal Health, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria

2Department of Tropical Veterinary Diseases, University of Pretoria, South Africa

3Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

4Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria 

5National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study determined the prevalence of neonatal mortality in dogs and its associated risk factors in Jos metropolis. Sixty dog breeders were visited and questionnaires were distributed to each breeder to assess the associated risk factors to canine neonatal mortality. The prevalence of neonatal mortality in dogs in the study area was shown to be 73.3%. The prevalence was more in older and unvaccinated dogs. Risk factors shown to have strong association to neonatal mortality in dogs were age of the bitch and vaccination status while breed of dog and litter size did not influence the prevalence. Therefore, older and unvaccinated bitches should be carefully monitored post-natal to avoid this menace of neonatal death in dogs as it always leads to psychological disturbance, loss of income by the owner and country at large.

Keywords: Prevalence, Neonatal mortality, Dogs, Risk factors, Jos

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