Factors associated with gastrointestinal parasite infection in dogs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Factors associated with parasitism by helminths and protozoans in 500 dogs presented to three veterinary clinics in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro from November 2003 to September 2004 were evaluated. Dogs were submitted to physical examination and owners were interviewed about the animal's management. One fecal sample from each dog was examined by centrifugal flotation and sedimentation methods followed by the safranin-methylene blue staining technique. Positive results for gastrointestinal parasites were detected in 46.4% of the examined samples. Infection with protozoans (29.6%) was more frequent than with helminths (23.2%). Cryptosporidium sp. (26.2%) and Ancylostoma sp. (15.2%) were the most frequent parasites. Logistic regression analysis showed that age (p<0.001), access to soil (p<0.001), hygiene of the environment (p=0.001), illness (p=0.007), owner's level of education (p<0.006) and veterinary clinic (p=0.043) were associated with gastrointestinal parasite infections in dogs. Treatment and control are especially important for puppies. Adult dogs should be submitted to fecal examination before treatment, placing special emphasis on those that present one or more factors associated with infection.
Balassiano
Bianca Chiganer Cramer
BC
Graduate Program in Veterinary Science, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Campos
Mônica Rodrigues
MR
Menezes
Rita de Cássia Alves Alcantara de
Rde C
Pereira
Maria Julia Salim
MJ
D000375:Aging; D000724:Ancylostomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D004971:Estrus; D056890:Eukaryota; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*