Pet and Stray Dogs' Contribution to Zoonotic Transmission Pathways: A Bibliometric Review

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• Zoonotic Disease Epidemiology
• One Health

Background:

• Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are frequently cited as hosts for zoonotic pathogens.
• A significant portion of zoonotic disease literature focuses on dogs, yet research focus may not align with epidemiological risks.
• Helminths are disproportionately studied compared to bacterial and viral zoonoses associated with dogs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of pet and stray dogs in zoonotic transmission pathways.
• To identify discrepancies between research emphasis and actual public health risks posed by dogs.
• To propose integrated One Health strategies for managing canine-associated zoonoses.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of large-scale datasets on zoonoses.
• Literature review focusing on transmission pathways involving pet and stray dogs.
• Comparative analysis of zoonotic risks associated with different dog ecotypes.

Main Results:

• Stray dogs are linked to environmentally transmitted diseases (e.g., soil/water-borne parasites) due to uncontrolled behavior.
• Pet dogs pose higher risks for direct transmission, including bites, close contact infections, and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.
• Vector-borne zoonoses associated with dogs require specific control measures for different vectors.

Conclusions:

• Integrating dogs into One Health surveillance is crucial for early zoonotic disease detection.
• Targeted interventions like genomic monitoring of strays, deworming, sanitation, and responsible pet ownership are recommended.
• Further research on dog ecotypes and host interactions is needed for precise risk stratification and effective prevention.