Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Endoparasite infections in dogs and owner views on parasite control
By Lempereur, L et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports·2020·FPS Health·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Coprological survey of endoparasite infections in owned dogs and owners' perceptions of endoparasite control in Belgium and the Netherlands.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A survey of dogs in Belgium and the Netherlands found that infections with internal parasites, or endoparasites, are common. Out of 239 dogs tested, 18 were positive for at least one type of parasite, with Toxocara being the most frequently found. Many dog owners reported giving their pets deworming treatments, but only a small number understood the potential health risks these parasites pose to humans. This highlights the need for better education on parasite control and its implications for both pets and their owners.
People also search for: dog parasite infection symptoms · Toxocara in dogs treatment · how to prevent dog parasites · dog deworming frequency · zoonotic parasites in pets
Abstract
Infections with endoparasites are common in dogs. Some of these parasites are potentially zoonotic and therefore a public health concern. A survey was conducted in twenty-six small animal practices to evaluate the prevalence of endoparasites in Belgian and Dutch owned dogs older than 6 months as well as risk factors associated with infection. Out of 239 faecal samples screened (168 in Belgium and 71 in the Netherlands), 18 dogs were tested positive for at least one type of endoparasite with three dogs co-infected with two parasitic species. Toxocara sp. was the most frequently found endoparasite (4.6%). Three other dogs were positive for Angiostrongylus vasorum (1.4%) using the Baermann method and confirmed in one dog by the Angiodetect® test. Age and predation behaviour were identified as two risk factors associated with endoparasite infection. Although the majority (77%) of the owners in this study reported to administer at least one anthelmintic treatment per year, only a minority of them (24.3%) were aware of the risk to human health, indicating that owner awareness is sub-optimal. For dog owners, human toxocarosis and other potential zoonoses remain an underestimated health concern. The implementation of sustainable parasite control strategies should be promoted taking also into account the public health risk.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33308762/