Ana Alejandra Contreras-Flores1*, Salvador Romero-Castañón2, Valeria Magali Rocha-Rocha3

Abstract | The aim of the study was to determine the gastrointestinal parasitosis in pet dogs from an urban area in Puebla city, Mexico; as well as their associated factors. Between the months of November 2017 and May 2018, 250 samples of fresh stool from privately owned dogs were collected, regardless of sex, age, breed or zootechnical function. Likewise, data were obtained from the owner and the animal. The samples were processed by direct examination and the technique of Willis and Malloy modified by Basnuevo. The prevalence of enteric parasites was 19.6%. The identified parasites were Ancylostoma spp (6%), Toxocara canis (4.4%), Cystoisospora spp (4%), Dipylidium caninum (3.6%), Strongyloides spp (2%), Uncinaria stenocephala (1.6%), Physaloptera sp (0.4%) and Trichuris vulpis (0.4%). Of the parasitized animals 61.2% were males, 38.8% were females, 16.3% were puppies (up to 6 months old), 28.5% were young dogs (7 months to 2 years old), 55.1% were dogs over 2 years of age and 69.4% were purebred dogs; 71.4% had received antiparasitic treatment in the last three months, and 75.5% did not show digestive clinical signs in the last week. The dog’s diet and the location of the dog when moored at home established a statistically significant association with the presence of parasites (p < 0.05). The 75% (6/8) of the parasitic genera detected were zoonotically important. Based on the high incidence of gastrointestinal parasites in pets, periodic medical examinations should be carried out in pets to prevent and control enteric parasites. Moreover, an adequate handling of feces is critical to prevent the spread of parasites.

Keywords | Endoparasites, Dogs, Puebla, Zoonoses, Prevalence