Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intestinal parasites found in dogs at US off-leash parks
By Stafford, Kristina et al.·Published in Parasites & vectors·2020·Elanco Animal Health, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Detection of gastrointestinal parasitism at recreational canine sites in the USA: the DOGPARCS study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Many dogs visiting off-leash parks in the USA were found to have intestinal parasites, with about 20% testing positive for infections like Giardia and hookworms. The study involved over 3,000 dogs, and it showed that younger dogs, especially those under one year old, were more likely to be infected. Dogs that were on heartworm and intestinal parasite control medications had a lower chance of testing positive for these parasites. Regular fecal testing and preventive medications can help keep your dog healthy and reduce the risk of infections from these common parasites.
People also search for: dog park parasites · Giardia in dogs · heartworm prevention for dogs · puppy intestinal worms treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The rapid growth in off-leash dog parks provides opportunity for canine socialization activities but carries risk of exposure to intestinal parasites. This study assessed the prevalence of these infections in dogs visiting off-leash dog parks. METHODS: Fresh defecations were collected from dogs visiting parks in 30 metropolitan areas across the USA. Samples were analyzed by coproantigen immunoassay (CAI) (Fecal Dx® and Giardia Test, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.) and zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation (CF). Owners responded to a questionnaire on their dog's signalment and use of heartworm/intestinal parasite control medications (HWCM). RESULTS: Samples were examined from 3006 dogs, 87.9% aged at least 12 months, visiting 288 parks. At least one intestinal parasite was detected in 622 (20.7%) samples, nematodes in 263 (8.8%), with hookworms, whipworms and ascarids in 7.1, 1.9 and 0.6% of samples, respectively. A sample positive for one or more intestinal parasites was found in 245 (85.1%) parks, with nematodes found in 143 (49.7%). Combined, CAI and CF detected 78.4% more intestinal nematode infections than CF alone. Hookworm and whipworm infections were detected in all age groups, but ascarids were only detected in dogs less than 4 years-old. Approximately 42% of dogs aged less than 1 year were positive for nematodes or Giardia. Based on owner reports, HWCM was current for 68.8% of dogs, dogs previously diagnosed with intestinal parasitism were more likely to be receiving a HWCM than those without such history, and a significantly lower (P = 0.0003) proportion of dogs receiving a HWCM were positive for intestinal nematodes compared with those not on such medication. CONCLUSIONS: Intestinal parasites, the most common of which were Giardia, Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris vulpis, were found in 20% of dogs and 85% of dog parks across the USA. Enhanced detection of canine intestinal parasitism was achieved by combining CF and CAI. Canine intestinal parasites are common across the USA and dog health can be improved by regular testing of fecal samples and routine administration of medications effective against the most common infections.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32487211/