title: Hair Contamination of Sheepdog and Pet Dogs with Toxocara canis Eggs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We tried to investigate the hair contamination of pet dogs and farm sheepdog with Toxocara eggs in terms of the different sex and age groups in north-west of Iran (Urmia and its suburbs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Hair samples were collected from a total of 138 pet and farm sheepdogs from November 2008 to June 2009 in Urmia City and the suburb (West Azerbaijan-Iran) and examined for the presence of T. canis eggs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  T. canis eggs found in 60 samples altogether (pet and shepherd dogs) showed a contamination rate of 36.2%. The number of observed T. canis eggs in each microscope field was varied from 1 to > 400. The age of the dog was found a significant factor to influence the prevalence and intensity of contamination, with 82% of all the eggs recovered from puppies (six months and younger). Additionally, the numbers of eggs in farm sheepdogs were significantly higher than pet dogs (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report shows that direct contact with T. canis infected dogs, particularly puppies from shepherd dogs, may pose a serious hazard to human. Besides, as they may harbor a considerable number of eggs on their hair, they can contaminate the soil and the environment.
authors: Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Tavassoli
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Javadi
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Firozi
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Rezaei
authors: Ar
authors: A
authors: Khezri
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hadian
keywords: Dog; Health; Public; Toxocara canis; Zoonoses