Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminthes in Stray Dogs of Tabriz City , Iran

Stray dogs are considered as an important health problem in societies because they can carry dangerous diseases such as hydatidosis, toxocariasis and coenurus cerebralis to humans and animals. Therefore, the study of helminthes infections in all parts of Iran for evaluation of infection state, and provision of the infection control programs is essential. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of parasitic helminthes in stray dogs around Tabriz city. In this study, 40 stray dogs were killed by shooting with the municipality officers and were dissected considering health rules. After laparotomy, internal organs are inspected, and bowels completely collected in separate containers containing 10% formaldehyde. Transferring the samples to the parasitological laboratory, the bowels were cut using forceps, and its contents passed through the sieve, and the worms were separated. Azo carmine & carminic acid staining and lactophenol was used for diagnosis of isolated cestodes and nematodes. The number of 40 dogs, 34 dogs (85%) had at least one species of cestodes and nematodes and acanthocephala that; 12.5% (5 dogs) infected by Echinococcus granulosus, 20% (8 dogs) by Taenia hydatigena, 22.5% (9 dogs) by Taenia multiceps, 17.5 /% (7 dogs) by Dipylidium caninum and 52.5% (21 dogs) by Ancylostoma caninum, 45% (18 dogs) by Toxocara canis, 35% (14 dogs) by Trichuris vulpis, 27.5% (11 dogs) by Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus . In this study, it was shown that helminthic rate in stray dogs is very high around Tabriz. These parasites are important in terms of health and economic aspects. Therefore, it is more essential that we note to parasitic infections, to develop control programs