Prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs under veterinary care in Maracaibo, Venezuela.
The prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs presented to the Veterinary Policlinic of the University of Zulia (PVU) was measured between January and December 2001. A total of 614 fecal samples were evaluated by the fecal flotation method. One or more species of parasites was identified in 218 (35.5%) dogs. The parasites most frequently detected were: Ancylostoma spp. (24.5%), Toxocara canis (11.4%) and Isospora spp. (8.1%). Single parasitic infections were present in 149 (24.3%) dogs. The age distribution of intestinal parasites in dogs less than 1 year old had a higher overall prevalence than those dogs over 12 months of age. There was no significant difference in the prevalence between male (38.9%) and female (31.7%) dogs. There was a significantly (P < 0.05) greater prevalence of parasites in mixed-breed dogs (40.3%) as compared with pure-breed dogs (30.8%). A significant difference (P < 0.05) was detected between the general prevalence of January and December compared to August.
Ramírez-Barrios
Roger A
RA
Cátedra de Enfermedades Parasitarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, 3er Piso, Av. Ziruma, Ciudad Universitaria, La Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, estado Zulia, Venezuela.
Barboza-Mena
Glen
G
Muñoz
Jesús
J
Angulo-Cubillán
Francisco
F
Hernández
Elena
E
González
Fany
F
Escalona
Freddys
F
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D012621:Seasons; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology