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Abstract
The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in stray dogs, and dogs with owners was
investigated by fecal examinations from 271 dogs employing sedimentation, simple flotation
and centrifugation-flotation methods. The centrifugation-flotation method, when compared
to simple flotation or sedimentation methods was generally more accurate in the diagnosis
of all intestinal parasites, but statistical differences were detected only in relation
to Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora spp. (synonym Isospora spp.). The following parasites,
with their respective prevalence, were diagnosed in the fecal samples: Ancylostoma
spp. (23.6%); Toxocara canis (5.5%); Trichuris vulpis (4.8%); Spirocerca lupi (1.9%);
Dipylidium caninum (0.7%); Giardia spp. (12.2%); Hammondia heydorni (2.6%); Cystoisospora
spp. (8.5%); and Sarcocystis spp. (2.2%). The prevalence of most parasites was similar
for dogs of mixed-breed and for dogs of a defined-breed, except for Cystoisospora
spp. and T. canis which showed a significantly higher prevalence in mixed-breed dogs.
The prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. (17.1%) was significantly lower in stray dogs than
in those with an owner (31.9%) and the prevalence of Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora
spp. was higher in stray dogs (P < 0.05). No effect of season on the occurrence of
the different parasite genera could be observed, except for Ancylostoma spp., for
which an increase in the percentage of dogs shedding eggs was observed at the beginning
of Summer with a peak occurrence during April and May (Autumn). The prevalence of
Ancylostoma spp., T. canis, T. vulpis, Giardia spp. and Cystoisospora spp. was higher
in adult males than in adult females, but significant differences between the two
groups occurred only with Giardia spp. Young animals were found to more frequently
shed Nematode eggs in feces than adult animals.