Evaluation of Echinococcus multilocularis and other intestinal parasites in off-leash dogs in southern Ontario

Abstract

Parasites can affect dog health, and some parasites, including Echinococcus multilocularis, are a zoonotic concern. Echinococcus multilocularis has recently been detected in wild carnivores in Ontario; however, little is known about the prevalence of E. multilocularis and other intestinal parasite in dogs in Southern Ontario. Therefore, this thesis was designed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs that reside in southern Ontario. Using fecal floatation, 11 different species of intestinal parasite were identified in 483 fecal samples collected from dogs at 12 off-leash dog parks in southern Ontario in 2018. Ancylostoma caninum, Trichuris vulpis, Cystoisospora spp. and Toxocara canis were the most frequently identified intestinal parasites. Based on PCR testing of 212 fecal samples from the same dogs, the prevalence of E. multilocularis was 0% (97.5% confidence interval [CI] 0 – 1.6%). The information about parasite prevalence could assist veterinarians with deworming protocols targeted for off-leash dogs.