THE PREVALENCE OF DIROFILARIA IMMITIS AND OTHER PARASITES IN URBAN POUND DOGS IN NORTH‐EASTERN VICTORIA

Abstract

The results of a survey investigating the prevalence of D. immitis and other helminth and protozoan infections in urban dogs in north-eastern Victoria are presented. D. immitis was detected in 2.7% of the general population (8.3% of dogs > 2 yr old). Microfilariae of D. immitis were not detected in the peripheral circulation of 30% of dogs infected with the adult parasites. The most prevalent gastro-intestinal parasites were Dipylidium caninum 57%; Trichuris vulpis 41%; Toxocara canis 38%; and Uncinaria stenocephala 26%. The prevalence of T. canis in dogs < 1 yr of age was 73% and this decreased with increasing age. No Echinococcus granulosus adults were detected. Sarcocystis spp. and Isospora ohioensis were the most commonly seen coccidians.