Prevalence of intestinal helminths in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) housed in Metro Manila animal shelters using Danish Bilharziasi Laboratory technique and Formalin Ether Concentration technique.

Abstract

The prevalence of intestinal helminths from 73 dogs in the Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB) of Manila dog pound and the Makati City dog pound were investigated. Individual stool samples were collected and processed using the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory technique and the Formalin Ether Concentration technique. Microscopy of the slides was done in triplicates for each sample. Five helminths were detected, with an overall prevalence of 60.27%. Hookworms were the most prevalent (54.79%), followed by Trichiuris sp. (16.44%), Toxocara sp. (4.11%), Diphyllobothrium sp. (2.74%), and Ascaris sp. (1.37%). The prevalence of Trichuris, Toxocara, Diphyllobothrium, and Ascaris obtained from both methods was statistically similar. However, hookworm recovery in FECT was significantly higher (p = 0.0046) than DBL. The prevalence rates of mixed infections were 46.58% for single, 10.96% for double, and 2.74% for multiple infections. Helminths reported in this study are of zoonotic importance and pose a significant threat to public health; hence, programs on dog population control and animal shelter sanitation should be reviewed and improved.