A study of factors influencing intestinal parasites in dogs

Coprological examinations were made on 686 owned dogs (23% of the total number of the registered dogs) in a semiurban area of the province of Bologna including the small towns of S. Agata, S. Giovanni in Persiceto, Sala Bolognese and Crevalcore. The results of the coprological tests were evaluated in association with the data obtained from the owners about the origin and the use or function of the animals, veterinary assistance, diet, cohabitation with other dogs, and the presence of gastrointestinal conditions. Prevalence rates were 7.0% for ascarids, 3.6% for tapeworms, 7.1% for coccidia, 2.8% for hookworms, 28.6% for whipworms. On the whole, the animals positive for gastrointestinal parasites were 37.5% of those examined. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the presence of gastrointestinal parasites in general was influenced by the use of the animals, veterinary assistance, age, anthelminthic treatments and cohabitation with other dogs. The presence of ascarids appeared to be influenced by age and veterinary assistance; that of cestodes by veterinary assistance; that of coccidia by cohabitation with other dogs; that of whipworms by function, treatments, veterinary assistance and age. None of the variables considered in the analysis could explain the presence of hookworms. Factor analysis grouped the variables considered into 5 factors: the first was associated with veterinary assistance; the second with the animal's function and the presence of whipworms, hookworms and tapeworms; the third with cohabitation, origin and presence of coccidia; the fourth with the presence of fresh meat (cooked, raw or frozen) in the diet, age and positivity for ascarids; the fifth with sex and the presence of gastroenteric conditions.