PREVALENCE OF ENTERIC PARASITES OF DOGS AND CATS IN DHAKA CITY

Abstract

Enteric parasitic infection in dogs and cats is a major concern for public health as most of them have zoonotic importance. In Dhaka, surveys of enteric parasites in dogs and cats have been reported sporadically over the past 50 years, mostly focusing on stray and shelter dogs and cats. The present work was performed to determine the current prevalence of various parasites through the examination of fecal samples (both sedimentation and floatation methods) collected from pet and stray dogs (48) and cats (139) in Dhaka city. Overall, 35.42% (17/48) of dogs and 33.09% (46/139) of cats were positive for at least one parasite. Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati were the most prevalent parasite present in fecal samples followed by Dipylidium caninum, Diphyllobothrium latum, Taenia sp., Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma caninum, Trichuris vulpis, Capillaria hepatica, Isospora sp. and Eimeria sp. In dog, enteric helminth and protozoan prevalence were 31.25% (15/48) and 8.33% (4/28), whereas single and mixed infections were 70.59% and 29.41%, respectively. In cats, prevalence of enteric helminth and protozoan were 30.22% and 7.19%, whereas single and mixed infections were 71.74% and 28.26%, respectively. Except the two protozoan species, most recovered parasites have public health significance. Therefore, proper attention needs to be paid to prevent dog and cat borne zoonosis through controling parasites by regular deworming and proper hygiene. Keywords: Prevalence, Helminth, Protozoa, Dogs, Cats, Dhaka.