Gastrointestinal Parasites of Household Dogs and Cats: Epidemiology and Community Knowledge, Attitude and Practices About the Parasites in Selected Central Parts of Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Both dogs and cats are affected by diverse groups of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites and may also act as infection sources for other animals and humans. Despite fragmented reports, a wide area survey of the status of GI parasite infection in these animals and the community’s knowledge, attitude and practices of the problem has never been conducted. Therefore, a cross-sectional study on GI parasites of dogs and cats was carried out from February, 2022 to April, 2023 in Dukem, Bishoftu, Addis Ababa and Sheno areas of central Ethiopia with the objectives to estimate the prevalence and assess the risk factors of these parasites. In addition, a community-based questionnaire survey was conducted on 272 dog and cat owners to assess their knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) toward dog and cat GI parasites. A total of 914 (701 dog and 213 cat) faecal samples were collected and processed using centrifugalfloatation technique and McMaster technique to identify GI parasites and to quantify their burden. A post-mortem examination was conducted on 13 dogs to explore the GI tract for any adult parasites. Based on faecal examination, an overall prevalence of 53.1% (372/701) and 34.7% (74/213) GI parasites was recorded in dogs and cats, respectively. Dogs and cats were found to be infected with nematode (28.2% and 14.6%), cestode (8.4% and 12.7%), and protozoan (5.6% for each: dog and cat). Among these, 42.2% and 32.9% were single infections, while 10.8% and 1.9% were mixed infections in dogs and cats, respectively. In dogs, Ancylostoma spp., doxocara canis, Dipylidium caninum, Giardia spp. and Taenia/Echinococcus spp. were more frequent parasites with the prevalence of 16%, 9.8%, 5%, 3.9% and 3.1%, respectively. Whereas Toxocara cati, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp., Giardia spp. and Physaloptera spp. were more frequent parasites in cats with the prevalence of 9.4%, 8.9%, 3.8%, 2.8% and 2.8%, respectively. A statistically significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in the prevalence of GI parasites of dogs of different origin, sex, age, feeding conditions, housing conditions and agro-ecology, and of cats of different sex, age, feeding conditions. Thus, higher prevalence of GI parasites was observed in female dogs and cats (73.8%, OR=0.4 and 49.1%, OR=2.3, respectively), adult dogs (55.3%, OR=0.4), young cats (70%, OR=4.7), in dogs and cats that were commonly fed uncooked food (57.9%, OR=2.7 and 40.5%, OR=3.6, respectively) and in dogs and cats which were housed free outdoor (60.9%, OR=2.4 and 35%, respectively). Similarly, a higher prevalence of GI parasites of dogs and cats was observed in dogs from highland areas (62.1%, OR=1.8) and in cats from midland areas (36.1%, OR=1.3). From the thirteen dogs that were examined using the post-mortem technique, one dog was found to have an intestine packed with Toxocara canis. From the 272 respondents in the KAP study, the majority, 159 (58.5%) of the respondents were found to keep their pets free outdoor, and 133 (48.9%) of them fed their pets raw offal/meat/milk. The questionnaire survey disclosed that dog and cat owners had an overall good knowledge (score=54.6% and 63.9%, respectively), positive attitude (score=82.1% and 84.1%, respectively), and poor practices (score=46% and 37.6%, respectively) towards GI parasites of dogs and cats. In conclusion, the current study indicated a high prevalence of GI parasites in dogs and cats within the considered areas. Dog and cat owners had good knowledge, positive attitude, and poor practices regarding GI parasites of dogs and cats. Therefore, to implement effective control and prevention methods, One Health approach is essential and an in-depth epidemiological and molecular investigation is needed to identify GI parasites of dogs and cats considering wide study areas with different agroecologies to understand their economic and zoonotic impacts. Dog and cat owners should perform good practices and stay current with the most recent knowledge and practices to prevent and control dog and cat GI parasites.
Description
Keywords
Attitude, Cats, Central Ethiopia, Dogs, Gastrointestinal parasites, Knowledge, Practice, Prevalence, Risk factors