THE PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL HELMINTHS IN STRAY DOGS IN KERMAN CITY

Abstract

In this study 74 stray dogs including 39 females and 35 males with cooperation of dog killing team of municipality were killed, examined macroscopically and microscopically in Kerman city from 1992 to 1993. Taenia hydatigena was the most prevalent helminth observed in 57 dogs (77%), Dipylidium caninum in 13 dogs (17.6%), Echinococcus granulosus in 5 dogs (6.8%) and Toxocara canis in one dog (1.4%). In general 34 female dogs (87.2%) and 28 male dogs (80%) were infected. There was no significant difference between dogs in regards to the sexes or age groups. The overall prevalence of infection was 83.8% for one or more species of intestinal helminthes, while only 16.2% were negative. Mixed infections were observed in 14 dogs (18.9%) mainly between T.hydatigena with D.caninum or with E.granulosus.