Gastrointestinal parasitic infection in urban dogs from different housing systems in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

This study evaluated the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites and the frequency of parasitic infection in dogs of three different canine housing system in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A total of 125 fecal samples from dogs from shelter kennels, military kennels and commercial kennels was evaluated. Presence of endoparasites was observed in 50.4% of these samples, with mono infection occurring in 48% and multi-infection in 2.4%. Ancylostoma spp. was the most prevalent parasite. Dogs from shelter kennels had a higher rate of infection, followed by dogs at commercial and military kennels. The frequency of antiparasitic treatment was different at the three housing sites. The presence of parasitic species of zoonotic potential in dogs of the studied region suggests that even in urban areas there is a risk of infection of humans with canine intestinal parasites.