ABSTRACT
Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasites that frequently infest dogs and pose significant concerns for animal health and welfare. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Rhipicephalus sanguineus infestation in dogs and identify its associated risk factors in Cairo Governorate, Egypt. A total of 100 dogs from veterinary clinics and shelters were examined during 2024. The overall prevalence was 47%, with stray dogs showing higher infestation rates (62%) compared to domestic dogs (32%). From 1-3 years old dogs and male dogs were more frequently affected, with a prevalence of 57.14% and 48.08%, respectively. Seasonality also played a role, as infestation was most common in summer (84%). Morphological identification confirmed the collected specimens as R. sanguineus. These findings provide essential baseline data on tick occurrence in dogs in Cairo, emphasizing the need for effective control strategies to improve canine health and limit ectoparasite burden.
Key words: Ticks, prevalence, risk factors, dogs, seasonality