Diagnosis and control procedures of the parasites of canines and felines in 50 clinics in the metropolitan area of Costa Rica

Abstract

In order to know current diagnosis and control procedures for gastrointestinal parasites (GIP) in canines and felines50 veterinarians working in the great metropolitan area from Costa Rica were interviewed. According to clinicians,GIP vary from very frequent (50.0%) to frequent (44%), and those considered most prevalent are: Ancylostomatids(82.0%), Toxocara sp. (80.0%), Dypilidium caninum (72.0%), Giardia sp. (70.0%), Coccidia (62.0%), Trichuris vulpis(30.0%), Capillaria sp. (2.0%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (2.0%). The diagnosis of GIP is based on a combina-tion of history, clinical signs and fecal analysis (28.0%). Direct microscopy of a single fecal sample is the most useddiagnostic procedure (84.0%). Clinical signs frequently associated by these veterinarians with GIP were hemor-rhagic diarrhea (76.0%), weight loss (70.0%) and anorexia (60.0%).  We identified 18 and 4 deworming protocolsfor puppies/kittens and adults, respectively. Anthelmintic drugs are mostly used prophylactically (84.0%), which isindicative that deworming are not fecal examination-based. The results underlies inadequate diagnosis and controlpractices of small animal parasites, highlighting the need for further educational efforts directed at the veterinarycommunity emphasizing interrelationships between animal, human and environmental health.