Geographical location of study area: Sirajganj district is situated in Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh; its geographical coordinates are 24°27'0" North, 89°43'0" East. Sirajganj has an area of 2,498 sq km (964 sq miles) including reverine areas, and it represents around 1.7 percent of the total area of Bangladesh. It ranks 3rd in size among the eight districts of Rajshahi division and 25th among the 64 districts of Bangladesh. The annual average temperature reaches a maximum of 34.6°C, and a minimum of 11.9°C. The annual rainfall is 1610 mm (63.4 in).
Experimental animals: This research work was conducted at the District Veterinary Hospital (DVH), Sirajganj on the clinical cases of pet dogs during the period from January, 2009 to December, 2010. During two years study period, a total of 272 case of sick pet dogs were studied which were brought for treatment at the DVH, Sirajganj. Only 61 dogs were infected by protozoa among 272 sick dogs. Date, age, sex, breed and complaint of the owner of all studied pet dogs were noted in the registered book. All this information and data were collected from the disease register book of the DVH, Sirajganj.
Methods followed for diagnosis: The history and physical examination of each of the patient were carried out for the pet do gs are briefly described bellow:
History/Anamnesis: (A) History of the patients: It includes (a) Date of examination, (b) Signalment (client and patient) identification, (c) Chief complaint, (d) Patient illness, (e) Past medical history A complete medical history: It includes (a) Family medical history, (b) Vaccination history, (c) Travel history, (d) Diet history, (f) Environmental history, (g) Birth history, (h) Potential source of intoxication.
Physical examination: Physical examination was done by visual inspection, pulse & respiration rate and rectal temperature. Examination of the different organs and systems of the body was carried out by using the clinical methods of palpation, percussion and auscultation. Mouth gag and local anesthesia were used to restraint the patients. Extension and flexion, needle puncture and otoscopy were also performed when required. Laboratory Examination Fecal samples and skin scrapings were examined at the hospital. Blood and urine samples were collected for specific examinations and were examined at the Field Diseases Investigation Laboratory (FDIL), Sirajganj. The specific bl ood examination included examination of blood smear for blood protozoa. To diagnose protozoan diseases different types of laboratory test followed as like direct saline smear stained smear and fecal floatation technique for faeces examination and stained blood film (thin film, thick film) method for blood examination. Other techniques also followed where required. Trophozoite of Giardia was identified.
Postmortem Examination: Post mortem examinations of dead pet dogs submitted either at the DVH or FDIL, Sirajganj was done to record gross pathological changes. The samples were collected and sent to Central Disease Investigation Laboratory (CDIL), Dhaka for the diagnosis to be confirmed. The interpretations were then recorded.
Statistical analysis: The prevalence of infection for each protozoan disease was calculated as the number of positive samples divided by the total number of samples infected amo ng the total number of dog tested and expressed as percentage. All analysis were performed with standard software (SPSS, version 13.0, SPSS Inc, Chicago, III).