Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intestinal parasites in dogs and foxes in Zanjan Iran
By Haghighat, Kimia et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports·2024·Islamic Azad University Sciences and Researches Branch·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and foxes in the Zanjan province of Iran: With an emphasis on Echinococcus species.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that 19% of dogs and foxes in Zanjan province, Iran, had gastrointestinal parasites, with stray dogs showing the highest rates. Specifically, 2.4% of the fecal samples tested positive for Echinococcus granulosus, a parasite that can affect humans. However, no parasites were found in pet or guard dogs, indicating that they are less at risk. This highlights the importance of monitoring stray dogs and their food sources to prevent the spread of these parasites.
People also search for: dog parasites symptoms · Echinococcus granulosus in dogs · how to prevent parasites in pets
Abstract
Canids harbor many zoonotic parasites and play an important role in the spread of parasites in the human environment. Estimation of parasitic infection among canids as definitive hosts may help competent authorities design efficient control programs. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs and foxes with an emphasis on Echinococcus spp. A total of 500 fecal samples of dogs and 30 fecal samples of foxes were studied in the summer, autumn, and winter of 2021 in the Zanjan province using the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique, followed by multiplex PCR. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infection was estimated to be 19.05%. The prevalence was 24.8%, 10.2%, and 26.7% in stray, shelter dogs and foxes, respectively. No parasites were found among pet and guard dog samples. PCR results on Taenidae eggs showed that 2.4% of samples were positive for Echinococcus granulosus and none contained E. multilocularis. Noteworthy is that E. granulosus was identified only in stray dog samples. The higher prevalence of E. granulosus infection in stray dogs in this province emphasizes the importance of monitoring the food sources consumed by these animals.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38644038/