Blood Profil of Dogs Experimentally Infected with Single Trypanosoma brucei, Ancylostoma caninum and Conjunct Trypanosoma brucei and Ancylostoma caninum and Treatment with Diminazene Aceturate and Mebendazole

The present study was designed to ascertain the level of haematological alterations in single Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), Ancylostoma caninum (A. caninum) and conjunct infections of both parasites in dogs and effect of treatment with diminazene aceturate and mebendazole on haematology. Sixteen dogs grouped into 4 of 4 members each were used in the study. Group 1 (GPI) was uninfected (control), GPII was infected with A. caninum, GPIII was infected with T. brucei and GPIV was infected with conjunct infections of T. brucei / A. caninum. Post acclimatization, GPII and GPIV were infected with A. caninum, 2 weeks after GPIII and GPIV were infected with T. brucei. By week 6 post infection, GPII and GPIV were treated with 100 mg of mebendazole given twice daily for 3 days and a repeat given 2 weeks later. GPIII and GPIV were also treated with diminazene aceturate at 7 mg/kg once. Treatment was repeated at week 8 and 9 of the experiment. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decreases in pack cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC) in all the experimental groups (GPII, GPIII and GPIV). The decreases were more in the conjunct group (GPIV) compared to the others. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in white blood cell (WBC) count was recorded in all the experimental groups (GPII, GPIII and GPIV). It was reflected in significant (p <0.05) decreases in lymphocytes, neutrophil, monocyte, basophil counts in T. brucei infected group. Conversely there were significant (p <0.05) increases in neutrophil, eosinophil, monocyte and basophil count but a decrease in lymphocyte count in A. caninum group. The haematological alterations were more in T. brucie group compared to the A. caninum group. Similarly the effect was more in the conjunct T. brucei /A. caninum group compared to the single T. brucei. Treatment with 7 mg/kg diminazene aceturate and 100 mg mebendazole given once daily for 3 days caused some improvement in haematology. These findings would enhance clinicians’ knowledge of the effect of single and mixed infections of T. brucei and A. caninum in dogs.