Journal of Veterinary Medical Research (Dec 2005)
Clinical Investigation on intestinal helminthes infestation in stray dogs in South Florida, USA
Abstract
In this study a total of 200 stray dogs housed in Safe Harbor Animal Rescue and Clinic (SHARC), South Florida, USA were clinically and parasitologically examined for intestinal helminthes. In this investigation, dogs were clinically examined and monitored for intestinal parasites for 6 successive weeks, treated with specific drugs and investigated for the possibility of reinfestation with intestinal parasites within the closed quarters of the animal shelter environment. Fecal floatation technique revealed three types of parasitic eggs in fecal samples of 46 (23%) dogs, including Ankylostoma spp. 30 (15%), Toxocara canis 10 (3.5%), and Dipylidium caninum 6 (3%). Clinical examination of investigated dogs revealed bloody diarrhea associated with abdominal pain, anemia, poor hair coat and the presence of segments of tapeworms approximately in the size of grain of rice in the feces of some dogs. Some dogs showed frequent cough. Some dogs that were tested negative for Ankylostoma spp. and Toxocara canis tested positive later indicating definite contamination in the environment of the shelter. Some dogs developed tapeworm infestation during this study indicting the presence of infective flees in contact dogs. Control measures and therapy were discussed.
