Prevalence of endoparasites in dogs in the region of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State

Abstract

From 1981 to 1986, a study was conducted to assess the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in dogs at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal
University of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. A total of 11.563 male and female dogs, of different breeds and ages were included. From these, 2.447 were diagnosed as having parasites in the feces (21.16%). Part of these dogs (1.672) were infested by one specie of parasite (68.32%) and 755 with various species (30.85%). The parasites found were the following: Ancylostoma spp (61.15%); Toxocara spp (24.45%); Dipylidium spp (8.28%); Isospora spp (4.62%); Trichuris spp (1.22%); Taenia spp (0.22%); Spirocerca spp (0.06%). Special attention was given to the Ancylostoma spp and Toxocara spp, responsible for zoonoses whose  incidence diminished year by year front the beginning of the study indicating a decrease tendency. In relation to the age intervals examined, the following data were obtained: 0 - 3 months old dogs, 28.2% infestation; 4 - 12 months old dogs, 36.33% and 13 - 24 months old
dogs, 18.23% infestation. The results demonstrated that younger animals (to one year of age) were the most infected.