Endoparasites in dogs and cats in Germany 1999-2002

Infections with endoparasites in dogs and cats were determined by analysing the results of faecal examinations (Flotation, MIFC, sedimentation, Baermann, smear, ProSpecT Giardia Microplate Assay). Samples of 8438 dogs and 3167 cats from the years 1999 until 2002 have been included in the investigation. Evaluation of the samples indicated that 2717 dogs (32.2%) and 771 cats (24.3%) were infected with endoparasites. In the infected dogs the following parasites have been identified: Class Nematodea: Toxocara canis: 22.4%; Toxascaris Leonina: 1.8%; Ancylostomatidae: 8.6%; Trichuris vulpis: 4.0%; Capillaria spp.: 2.3%; Crenosoma vulpis: 0.9%; Angiostronqylus vasorum: 0.3%; Class Cestodea: Taeniidae: 1.2%; Dipylidium caninum: 0.4%; Diplopylidium/Joyeuxiella: 0.1%; Mesocestoides: 0.2%; Diphyllobothrium latum:<0.1%; Class Sporozoea: Sarcocystis spp.: 9.0%; Cystoisospora spp.: 22.3%; C. canis: 8.0%. C ohioensis: 17.0%; Hammondia/Neospora: 1.7%; Class Zoomastigophorea: Giardia spp.: 51.6%. In the 771 infected cats the following prevalences of parasites were found: Class Nematodea: Toxocara mystax: 26.2%; Ancylostoma tubae-forme: 0.3%; Capillaria spp.: 70%; Aelurostrongylus abstrusus: 2.7%; Class Cestodea: Taeniidae: 2.6%; Dipylidium caninum: 0.1%; Class Sporozoea: Sarcocystis spp.: 2.2%; Cystoisospora spp.: 21.9%; C. felis: 15.3%, C. rivolta: 7.9%; Toxoplasma/Hammondia: 4.5%; Class Zoomastigophorea: Giardia spp.: 51.6%.