Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Nematode Parasites in Stray Dogs in Shiraz, Southern Iran

Abstract

Mehrabani, D., Sadjjadi, S.M. and Oryan, A. 2002. Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode parasites in stray dogs in Shiraz, Southern Iran. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 22: 157–160.

To assess the extent to which Shiraz stray dogs are infested with nematodes, 105 stray dogs of both sexes and different ages from various residential areas were autopsied and their stomach and small intestine were examined for the presence of nematodes. Twenty-six dogs (24.8%) were infested with gastrointestinal nematodes of which 22.9% were infested with ascarids, predominantly Toxascaris leonina (20%). Therefore, it appears that the nematodes of dogs in this region are of zoonotic and public health importance and control of these parasites should be taken up for the general health of the community.

Key words:

• Prevalence
• nematode
• stray dogs
• Shiraz
• Iran