Gastrointestinal parasites of dogs, analysis of prevalence and treatment efficacy

The study of the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs and the efficacy of anthelmintic drugs is a pressing issue in veterinary medicine. Helminthic infections can affect various systems of the animal's body, including the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and other organs, often leading to severe diseases. This article presents the results of an examination of 97 dogs aimed at identifying gastrointestinal parasitic infections and evaluating the efficacy of various anthelmintic drugs. The analysis of fecal samples revealed that 53 % of the dogs were infected with one or more species of parasites. Four species of parasites were identified: three species of helminths (Toxocara canis, Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala) and one species of protozoan parasite (Giardia spp.). The highest prevalence of infection was recorded for T. canis (51%), and mixed infections involving two or more parasites were found in 27 % of the dogs. The study demonstrated a significant age-related variation in infection rates: puppies (≤ 6 months) had the highest prevalence (61 %), while the rates in young dogs (6 months – 1 year) and adult dogs (over 1 year) were 57.1 % and 26.4 %, respectively. Among the parasites affecting puppies, T. canis (45.4 %) and Giardia spp. (12.6 %) were the most prevalent, indicating their high susceptibility to these infections. Additionally, it was found that female dogs were more frequently infected with parasites than males. The efficacy of anthelmintic drugs varied depending on the type of infection. The drugs Brovadazole and Wormidex were 100 % effective in cases of mono-infections; however, their efficacy decreased in cases of mixed infections. The efficacy of Albentabs ranged from 32 % to 61 % in mixed helminth infections but reached 100 % in mono-infections. Metronidazole was found to be 100 % effective against the protozoan parasite Giardia spp. The results of this study highlight the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of gastrointestinal parasitoses in dogs, especially in puppies, to prevent severe complications. The efficacy of anthelmintic drugs can vary significantly depending on the type of infection and the number of parasites, underscoring the need for an individualized approach to treating animals. Combining different classes of anthelmintic drugs may be more effective than using a single drug, as this approach allows for broader coverage of diseases and reduces the risk of resistance development.