Prevalence of Campylobacter and four endoparasites in dog populations associated with Hearing Dogs.
OBJECTIVE
This study established the prevalence of four gastrointestinal parasites (Isopora species, Giardia species, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis) and one bacterial infection (Campylobacter jejuni/coli) in dogs associated with the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.


METHODS
Dogs' faeces were routinely sampled from dogs according to whether they were in Socialising, Kennelling or Visiting the Hearing Dogs site. A further group consisted of dogs with diarrhoea.


RESULTS
Prevalence rates for dogs in Socialising (n=326), Kennelling (n=117), Visiting (n=106) and Diarrhoea (n=59) groups, respectively, were as follows: Campylobacter- 26, 21, 15 and 31 per cent; Coccidia - 3, 0, 0 and 2 per cent; Giardia- 13, 3, 2 and 10 per cent; hookworm - 1, 1, 4 and 5 per cent; and Toxocara- 4, 2, 3 and 2 per cent. There were significant differences in the levels of Giardia and hookworm found between the four different groups of dogs. No significant gender differences were found, and dogs that were positive for Campylobacter in the Visiting group were significantly younger.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides current information on the infection rates in specific dog populations in the UK. This is relevant to the veterinary health of dogs and the possible risk of zoonotic infection to humans.
Guest
C M
CM
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, The Grange, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 9NS, UK.
Stephen
J M
JM
Price
C J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D002167:Campylobacter; D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000662:veterinary; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014789:Visitors to Patients; D015047:Zoonoses