Cited by 14Helminth infection and controlParasitic infections in humans and animalsParasitic Infections and Diagnostics

Substrate type and age are risk factors for gastrointestinal parasitism in greyhound kennels

Ash, Amanda, Lymbery, Alan, Godfrey, Stephanie, Shiel, Robert, Paul, Amanda·2019·Veterinary Parasitology

Abstract

The control of parasitic infections is particularly challenging in environments that are conducive to the maintenance of parasite lifecycles, such as the greyhound kennel, where the long-term breeding and rearing of dogs is common. The prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites within the Australian greyhound population has never previously been assessed, which seriously constrains the implementation of effective control measures. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for GI parasites in Australian greyhounds, identify parasites which may be detrimental to the health and performance of dogs, and evaluate the likelihood of zoonotic transmission to kennel staff. Faecal samples were collected from 721 individual greyhounds situated in kennels across five states of Australia; Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Animal husbandry and current parasite control protocols were obtained from each kennel and analysed in conjunction with the detected level of parasitism. Overall parasite prevalence was approximately 60%, ranging from 50 to 70% between states. Eleven parasite genera were identified, with Sarcocystis, hookworm, Giardia and Toxocara detected most frequently. Generalised linear mixed model analyses found the major risk factors associated with parasitism were: a) the type of substrate which dogs were housed; b) age of dogs; and c) geographic region. Parasitism was associated most frequently with young dogs housed on grass/sand substrates, which allowed parasite lifecycles to continue, with constant reinfection the likely outcome. Routine treatment with broad-spectrum anthelmintics did not provide effective control in these environments and the adoption of alternate parasite control strategies is recommended. A substantial risk from zoonotic parasites was also identified, with six of the eleven parasite genera detected considered to be zoonotic and a poor understanding of zoonotic transmission among kennel managers.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.11.013

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Authors
Ash, A., Lymbery, A., Godfrey, S., Shiel, R., & Paul, A.
Affiliations
  • Murdoch University (AU)
  • University of Otago (NZ)
  • University College Dublin (IE)
Corresponding author
Ash, Amanda
Venue
Veterinary Parasitology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-01
Volume
265
Pages
7-14
ISSN
0304-4017 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2904571375
Cited by
14
References
55
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2
FWCI
1.84
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Veterinary Parasitology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Murdoch University Research Portal (submittedVersion)
Funders
Racing and Wagering Western Australia and Greyhounds Australasia
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Helminth infection and control
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Parasitic infections in humans and animals
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
Keywords
gastrointestinal parasites, greyhounds, kennels, risk factors, substrate type, dog age, Sarcocystis, hookworm, Giardia, Toxocara, zoonotic transmission, parasite prevalence, anthelmintic treatment, parasite control
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Animal Husbandry, Anthelmintics, Australia, Dog Diseases, Dogs, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Parasitic Diseases, Animal, Risk Factors

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