Gastrointestinal parasites of shepherd and hunting dogs in the Serres Prefecture, Northern Greece.

Abstract

A total of 281 faecal samples from owned shepherd and hunting dogs were collected in the Serres Prefecture, Northern Greece and were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites. The overall prevalence of parasitism was 26% and the 11 species found were: Toxocara canis (12.8%), Trichuris vulpis (9.6%), Giardia spp. (4.3%), Isospora (Cystoisospora) spp. (3.9%), Ancylostoma/Uncinaria spp. (2.8%), Cryptosporidium spp. (2.8%), Alaria alata (2.5%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.8%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (1.1%), Toxascaris leonina (0.7%) and Dipylidium caninum (0.3%). The prevalence of T. canis and Isospora (Cystoisospora) spp. was significantly higher in young than in adult dogs (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in prevalence between genders, except for T. canis, which was more common in male dogs (p < 0.05).