Epidemiological survey on stray dogs and cats gastro-intestinal parasites in Kirkuk province, Iraq

Abstract EN

Gastro-intestinal parasites (GIPs) of stray dogs and cats play an epidemiological critical role, and also play a major role in transmitting through contamination of soil, food and/or drinking water with GIPs faecals.

The objective of this study was to screening the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in stray dogs and cats in Kirkuk province, Iraq.

Fresh faecal specimens (n=125) of stray dogs and cats were collected during 15th February 2015 till 15th February 2016 from different regions of Kirkuk province.

The experimental processing were carried out within 24 h.s using flotation techniques, and stained using Ziehl– Neelsen, trichrome and iodine staining technique protocols.

The overall significant prevalence of GIPs among stray dogs (n=77) was 84.42%, these were Toxocara canis (25.98%), Diphylobotherium latum (23.38%), Isospora spp.

(20.78%), Dipylidium caninum (16.88%), Taenia hydatigera (14.29%), Echinicoccus spp.

(6.49%), Mesocestoides spp.

(6.49%), Cryptosporidium spp.

(6.49%), Ancylostoma caninum (2.59%) and Stongyloides sp.

(1.3%).

Of 48 stray cats faecal specimens subjected to the present study, 77.08% were positive for GIPs significantly, including Toxocara cati (39.58%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (22.92%), Taenia taeniaeformis (14.58%), Toxascaris leonina (6.25%), Diphylobotherium latum (6.25%), Cryptosporidium spp.

(27.08%), Isospora spp.

(10.41%) and Toxoplasma gondii (8.33%(.Among infected stray dogs Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum are the commonest GIPs in the present study.

While, Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme are the most prevalence among stray cats in Kirkuk province.

Among infected stray dogs Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum are the commonest GIPs in the present study.

While, Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma tubaeforme are the most prevalence among stray cats in Kirkuk province