Dog health program in Numbulwar, a remote Aboriginal community in east Arnhem Land

The main dog health problems in indigenous communities are sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei), hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum), Giardia duodenalis, heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and fleas.(1,2) A number of the parasites present in the dogs have zoonotic potential (Giardia duodenalis, Ancyclostoma caninum, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Dipylidium caninum, Echinococcus granulosus and Sarcoptes scabiei),(1,5) intensified by the often close cohabitation of people and dogs. Aside from zoonotic disease, there is also physical transmission of non-zoonotic disease (for example dogs licking children's faces after eating nappies) and the distress caused by living closely with puppies with diarrhoea, malnourished tick-infested dogs with chronic mange and noisy, aggressive roaming packs of dogs. The majority of owners prefer to have healthy dogs but often lack the means, including access to veterinary services, to achieve this.