Helminthiasis of local dogs : a veterinary prospective

Abstract

The problem of helminthic infestation in local dogs manifests itself as being a relatively common one locally. This fact poses obvious health hazards to man, as the intimate relationship between man and dogs implies the possibility of zoonosis. A survey was carried out amongst registered local veterinarians to assess their opinions about the problem and the use of anthelminthics. Many of them emphasized the need of enforcing existing legislation and the enactment of new ordinance to counteract the problem, together with education of pet owners and promotion of their interest in the health of their pet. Analytical methods were employed to evaluate the local incidence of helminthiasis in dogs and to establish the most common species of helminths which occur in local dogs. These are based on indirect microscopical analysis (based on concentration and flotation principles) of faecal samples of dogs. Despite the preliminary nature of the study, the results show that incidence of helminths in local dogs is relatively common (12%).