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Keywords
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Ctenocephalides felis, arthropod, ectoparasite, flea, infestation, dog
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Abstract
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Abstract: Medically important arthropods, including fleas, play an important role in causing clinical disorders and disease
in man and domestic animals. This study was conducted to determine the seasonal flea infestations for domestic dogs
from different geographic regions of Iran. A total of 407 fleas, belonging to 5 different species, were recovered from 83
domestic dogs from 3 regions. There was a distinctive pattern of species distribution and infestations with the highest
infestation rates observed in a temperate climate and higher rainfall. Additionally, fleas were observed over all seasons,
except February and March, with the highest infestation rate observed in August (24.7%) and the lowest rate in January
(1.7%). They also parasitize dogs with a different spectrum of species. The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (67.5%), exhibited
the highest prevalence among all flea species found on dogs. Thus, climatic conditions and seasonal patterns impact
on flea infestation and must be considered in developing control programs.
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