Hematological evaluation and parasitological feces examination in shelter dogs

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the health status of shelter dogs in two cities in the interior of São Paulo State, Brazil, as part of a university extension initiative focused on collective and preventive veterinary care. The project was conducted in two editions. The first was held in 2013 in a shelter in the city of Pirassununga, and the second in 2016 in a shelter in the city of Santa Cruz da Conceição. In total, 24 parasitological examinations of feces from collective kennels and 127 blood counts were conducted. In both editions, a large number of dogs exhibited thrombocytopenia and hyperproteinemia. We also identified cases of anemia and changes in the leukocyte counts, which were consistent with infectious diseases. Most fecal samples tested positive for intestinal parasites. These findings can be partially attributed to the substantial number of dogs in both shelters, which poses challenges for sanitary control.