Study on gastrointestinal zoonotic parasites in pet dogs in Western Iran.

OBJECTIVE Dogs are the definitive or reservoirs hosts of more than 60 zoonotic parasites. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in pet dogs in Hamedan, Western Iran. METHODS In cross-sectional study, 210 stool samples were collected randomly in pet dogs without clinical signs in Hamedan in April to December 2010. All samples were concentrated by formalin-ether technique. Smears of the feces were prepared and stained with Ziehl-Neelsen, trichrome, and iodine stains. RESULTS During coproscopy, the overall proportion of GI parasitic infection was found in 6.7% (14/210) of samples. The detected parasites with their frequencies were Cryptosporidium spp. (3.8%), Toxocara canis (1.9%), and Giardia spp. (0.95%). A significant difference was not observed between infection rates in different age groups) p=0.617) or between genders (p=0.627). CONCLUSION This is the first report of GI parasites in dogs from Western Iran. Although the rate of infection is low, the results showed that the pet dogs are reservoirs for zoonotic GI parasites and should be considered important to public health in this region. A combination of routine screening fecal samples for parasites, strategic anthelmintics regimens, and improved pet owner education is highly recommended for the control of GI parasites in pet dogs.