Diversity and incidence of parasitic skin diseases observed in dogs in Antalya province

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the incidence of ectoparasites and the diversity of skin diseases caused by them in dogs of various breeds, ages and sexes from private animal hospitals, private clinics and shelters in Antalya between the years 2016-2017 (Group 1) and 2022-2023 (Group 2). In Group 1, ticks were observed in 71% (142 dogs) and fleas in 57% (114 dogs) of a total of 200 dogs with dermatological problems. In Group 2, ticks were detected in 32% (400 dogs) and flea infestation was detected in 68% (850 dogs). In Group 1, Demodex canis was detected in 36.5% (73 dogs) and Sarcoptes scabei was detected in 26% (52 dogs) of the dogs examined in Group 2; Demodex canis was identified in 40% (500 dogs) and Sarcoptes scabei in 2% (5 dogs). Cutaneous Leishmaniasis was identified in 23.5% (47 dogs) of the dogs in Group 1 and 49.6% (620 dogs) in Group 2. Otodectes cynotis was directly identified in 10% (20 dogs) of the swab samples taken from the dogs in Group 1 and 10% (125 dogs) in Group 2. Cheyletiella yasguri was identified in 2.5% (5 dogs) in Group 1 and 0.08% (1 dog) in Group 2. Trombicula spp. was identified in 1.5% (3 dogs) in Group 1 and 1.2% (15 dogs) in Group 2. When the statistical results were examined, differences were found according to the incidence rate for ticks, fleas, Sarcoptes scabei, Leishmania infantum and Trombicula spp. among the agents (p<0.05). In our study, the infestation rate of ticks, Trombicula spp. and Sarcoptes scabei in Group 1 was higher than Group 2 (p<0.001), while fleas (p=0.001) and Leishmania infantum were found to be significantly lower (p<0.001).