Nationwide Survey of Veterinarians on Deworming Recommendations Against Two Zoonotic Helminths in Dogs in Mexico

Zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites such as Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum are a public health concern, particularly in tropical and urban environments. This study evaluated Mexican veterinarians’ perceptions, knowledge, and deworming practices regarding these parasites and their zoonotic risks. A nationwide online survey obtained 717 fully completed responses from veterinarians across all Mexican states, exceeding the required sample size. Inclusion criteria required participants to be active small-animal practitioners with no missing data on core deworming questions; veterinarians working exclusively in pharmacies, feed stores, boarding facilities, dog daycares, or grooming services were excluded. Overall ESCCAP guideline compliance was 34.2%. Compliance was highest in northern states (41.8%) and lowest in southern states (23.5%). Deworming practices in lactating dogs showed uniformly low adherence, and no state reached moderate compliance for puppies aged 1–3 weeks. Compliance with the recommended puppy deworming frequency was notably higher. Compliance with the recommended adult deworming frequency was very low (9.8%), while coprological monitoring was recommended by 43.4% of respondents. Professional formation was the strongest predictor of overall guideline adherence across nearly all criteria. The 16–20-year experience group showed the highest overall compliance. Sex was not a significant predictor of overall ESCCAP compliance; the only significant sex difference was observed for coprological monitoring, where female veterinarians showed higher compliance rates. These findings suggest that academic training, years of experience, and geographic region are independently associated with guideline adherence, underscoring the value of standardized national protocols and continuing education to strengthen zoonotic risk awareness among veterinarians in Mexico.