An Epidemiological Study of Gastrointestinal Parasitism in Dogs in an Urban Environment: Implications for Canid and Human Health
Date
2015-02-10
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Abstract
In Calgary parks, dogs, coyotes and humans are sympatric, introducing the potential for cross species transmission of enteric parasites that may be significant for canid and public health. This study aimed to: 1) determine gastrointestinal (GI) parasites infecting dogs; 2) identify certain recreational and demographic risk factors for GI parasitism in park-attending and non-park-attending dogs, with a focus on Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp.; 3) determine the relationships among certain park-related recreational risk factors, demographics, and risk perceptions of parasite transmission and; 4) characterize the transmission potential of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. among dogs, coyotes, and humans. Surveys regarding dog-walking behaviour were administered in 2010 and 2012, with corresponding dog fecal samples collected (n=1215). Feces from coyotes inhabiting parks visited by dogs were provided by an affiliate researcher (n=194). GI parasite presence or absence and infection intensity were determined using sugar flotation and direct immunofluorescence microscopy techniques. Multivariate analyses were conducted on questionnaire and parasitological data to characterize associations among dog-walking behaviours, demographics, and parasitism, and risk perceptions of parasite transmission. Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. infecting coyotes and dogs were genotyped. There was a higher prevalence of Giardia spp., and Cryptosporidium spp. versus helminths in park-attending dogs. General GI parasitsm and Giardia spp. infection intensity were positively associated to visiting multiple parks, park visitation frequency, and off-leash activity. Perception of risk for GI parasite transmission among dogs and humans was moderate to low, and not associated to the degree of conducting high-risk activities. Park attendance was found to be a risk for Giardia spp. infection in dogs permitted off-leash and to swim. Human and dog age were negatively associated to participation in activities posing a risk for Giardia spp. infection. The majority of dogs and coyotes were infected with host-specific strains of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. Together, these results provide important information for the management of GI parasite transmission among wild and domestic canids. I encourage park attendance for both dogs and humans, but recommend education and management initiatives include both disease mitigation and health promotion strategies.
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Keywords
Veterinary Science, Epidemiology, Public Health
Citation
Smith, A. F. (2015). An Epidemiological Study of Gastrointestinal Parasitism in Dogs in an Urban Environment: Implications for Canid and Human Health (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/24852