Gastrointestinal Parasites in Owned Dogs in Serbia: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• One Health
• Zoonotic Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• Dogs are globally popular pets, facilitating close human-animal contact.
• This proximity increases the risk of zoonotic parasitic infections, impacting public health.
• Veterinary medicine plays a vital role in maintaining the One Health concept.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify intestinal parasites with zoonotic potential in owned dogs in Serbia.
• To evaluate individual and environmental risk factors associated with parasite prevalence.
• To inform public health strategies for parasite control in dog populations.

Main Methods:

• Coprological examination of fecal samples from 382 owned dogs in Serbia (2022-2023).
• Qualitative methods focused on identifying and quantifying parasitic elements.
• Statistical analysis to determine risk factors (age, size, coat length, living conditions, diet).

Main Results:

• Overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 62.6%.
• Key parasites detected include Ancylostomatidae (38.0%), Trichuris vulpis (21.5%), Giardia intestinalis (11.8%), Toxocara canis (11.5%), and Cystoisospora spp. (9.2%).
• Factors such as dog's age, size, coat length, living environment, and diet significantly correlated with higher parasite prevalence (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of intestinal parasites, including zoonotic species, exists in the studied dog population.
• Dog owner education, routine fecal testing, and regular deworming are essential for mitigating zoonotic risks.
• Findings underscore the importance of integrated One Health approaches to parasite control.