Occurrence of Endoparasites in Adult Swedish Dogs: A Coprological Investigation.

Abstract

The occurrence of endoparasites in Swedish adult dogs (= 303) was investigated between January and October 2014. Included dogs had to be clinically healthy, older than 1 year and untreated with anthelmintics or endectocides for at least 3 months prior to sampling. They were grouped according to age, category of dog and time since last antiparasitic treatment. Samples were analyzed by flotation to detect parasitic eggs and cysts/oocysts. Among these, 129 (43%) dogs were also analyzed with the Baermann-technique to detect cardiopulmonary larval stages. Parasite dispersal stages were found in 24 (7.9%, CI 95% 4.9-10.1) of the dogs at flotation, while no dog shed cardiopulmonary larval stages.sp. cysts were observed in 2.6% (= 8) of dogs examined, cysts ofspp. were observed in 0.6% (= 2), oocysts ofwere found in one dog (0.3%). Eggs of(2.3%,= 7),(1.3%,= 4) and(0.3%, one dog) were found. None of the dogs were diagnosed with more than one species. Although the occurrence of endoparasites was above the average in dogs ≤ 2 years of age (11.5%), nematodes were more common in older dogs ≥4 years (77.0%). Although the occurrence was lower in working/exhibition dogs (5.9%) than in companion dogs (8.4%) and hunting-dogs (8.6%), these differences were not significant. However, dogs exposed to prey according to the owner had a statistically significant higher prevalence than other dogs (20.5 vs. 5.7%). The Odds Ratio (OR) was 4.0 (CI 95%, 1.58-10.11) for dogs having access to prey, 2.4 (CI 95%, 0.37-8.06) for dogs staying at day-care, and 2 (CI 95%, 0.96-5.96) for bitches. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between infection with nematodes and exposures to prey (= 0.006). As a reference, data on the endoparasites in canine fecal samples submitted to the National Veterinary Institute (SVA, Uppsala) during 2014 are presented. Overall, this study shows a low occurrence of endoparasites among dogs in Sweden. Any risk-assessment on zoonotic parasites as well as deworming recommendations will take advantage from these updated figures.