Abstract
Aim: A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2011 to April 2012 to determine the prevalence and species of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth parasites in pet and stray dogs as a potential risk for human health in Bahir Dar town, northwestern Ethiopia. Materials and Methods: A total of 384 and 46 faecal samples were collected from pet and stray dogs, respectively and examined by using standard coprologic techniques. Results: The overall prevalence of GI helminth infection in pet and stray dogs was 75.26 and 84.78%, respectively. The detected parasites with their frequencies in pet dogs were Ancylostoma caninum (78.89%), Toxocara canis (39.79%), Dipylidium caninum (29.75%), Strongyloides stercoralis (29.06%), Taeniidae (23.87%) and Trichuris vulpis (7.95%). Stray dogs were found more likely to be polyparasitized and presented higher prevalence of A. caninum, T. canis, S. stercoralis, Trichuris vulpis and Taeniidae (P < 0.05) than domiciled ones. Diphyllobothrium latum was detected only in 10.25% of stray dogs. Toxocara canis and A. caninum (P < 0.05) were detected more frequently in dogs with less than 6 months of age (P < 0.05) than old age dogs. The sex or breed groups didn't significantly affect the prevalence of parasites. A significant variation was recorded (P < 0.05) between different feeding systems where higher prevalence was observed in uncontrolled feeding group (82.18%) compared to controlled feeding (32.08%). Conclusion: Different gastrointestinal parasites in pet and stray dogs were identified in the study area that can potentially infect humans and cause serious public-health problems. Thus, concerted efforts should therefore be made to educate dog owners to embrace modern dog disease control programs and measures have to be taken on stray dogs.
Highlights
The domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is generally considered as the first domesticated mammal and has co-existed with man as a working partner and house pet in all eras and culture since the days of the cave dwellers [1]
Concurrent infection with two or more helminth parasites was common in 73.7% of the infected pet dogs
The result obtained in this study revealed that the difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasite in male and female pet dogs was not statistically significant
Summary
The domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is generally considered as the first domesticated mammal and has co-existed with man as a working partner and house pet in all eras and culture since the days of the cave dwellers [1]. The dog population in urban and suburban regions is composed of dogs that roam only with their owners and stray dogs which are ownerless [4]. In both cases, the animals come in close contact with humans and their dwellings and act as reservoirs and transmitters of zoonotic diseases [5,6]. They impede the successful rearing of dogs and result in losses that are manifested
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
