Investigating the Prevalenceo Intestinal Worms in Stray and Domestic Dogs of by EPG Method

Subject Areas : Smal Animal Medicine

Behnam Pedram ^{1 *} , Leila Derakhshan ² , Ali Almasian ³ , Ayda Sharifiyan ⁴ , Zahra Sadeghian ⁵

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Received: 2025-04-26 Accepted : 2025-05-07 Published : 2025-05-08

Keywords: Parasitic Infection, Stray Dogs , Domestic Dogs,

Abstract :

In Lorestan Province, particularly in underprivileged areas, intestinal parasitic infections are of considerable public health importance. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths in both stray and domestic dogs in Dorud County. From May to August 2022, a total of 48 fecal samples were collected from domestic dogs presented to veterinary clinics in the county, accompanied by owner-completed questionnaires.

Additionally, with the cooperation of the municipal authorities and by employing trapping methods, fresh fecal samples were obtained from 73 stray dogs. All collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. The Chi-square (χ²) statistical test was applied to assess the association between categorical variables, with a confidence level of 95% and a significance threshold set at p ≤ 0.05.

The findings revealed a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of intestinal parasites between domestic dogs (16.4%) and stray dogs (78.91%) (P < 0.05). Among the helminths identified, Taenia spp. exhibited the highest relative frequency (67.16%) in 45 samples from stray dogs, showing a significant difference compared to other parasites (P < 0.05). Other parasites detected included Toxocara canis (31.34%), Dipylidium caninum (29.85%), Giardia spp.

(16.41%), and Trichuris spp. (8.95%), each presenting with lower prevalence rates.

The markedly higher prevalence of helminthic, especially zoonotic, infections among stray dogs in Dorud and its surrounding areas compared to domestic dogs is likely attributable to the improved hygienic conditions under which domestic dogs are typically kept.

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