Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs (Canis familiaris) with acute diarrhea from metropolitan region of Londrina, Parana State, Brazil

Abstract

One hundred and fifty fecal samples from dogs with acute diarrhea (Group 1) and from 50 dogs without diarrhea (Group 2) were collected and analyzed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the State University of Londrina, between October, 2004 and October 2005. From the positive samples (29.3%) of Group 1, 72.7% were infected by only one agent, while 27.3% had mixed infection. The following genera were observed by coproparasitologic evaluation: Giardia sp. (9.3%), Ancylostoma sp. (7.3%), Cystoisospora (7.3%), Entamoeba sp. (6.7%), Toxocara sp.(4%), Pentatrichomanas hominis (3.3%), and Trichuris vulpis (1.3%). From the 50 animals without diarrhea, six (12%) were positive by coproparasitologic evaluation: two (4%) for Ancylostoma sp., three (6%) with Giardia sp., and one (2%) for both Ancylostoma sp. and Cystoisospora sp. There was a significant relationship between infection and diarrhea (P = 0,005), age and infection (P < 0,001); but not between the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in males and females (P = 0.08). The number of infected pure breed dogs was significantly higher than their mixed breed counterparts (P = 0.01). The results show the importance of realizing periodic parasitological examination in dogs with or without diarrhea for the specific treatment and the implementation of prophylaxis and control methods.