One-year parasitological screening of stray dogs and cats in County Dublin, Ireland

To date, there are no recent studies identifying the prevalence of parasites of human and veterinary importance in dogs and cats in Ireland. The interaction between pets and wildlife species in the environment is an important source of parasite exposure to canids and felines, and one likely to be heightened in the stray animal population. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of endoparasites in unowned dogs and cats in County Dublin, Ireland. Feces from stray dogs (n= 627) and cats (n= 289) entering a rehoming centre were collected immediately after defecation. The main parasitic agents detected were ascarids (15.52 and 30.26%),Cystoisospora(3.27 and 3.69%),Giardiaspp. (6.02 and 1.84%) and lungworms (0.64 and 2.08%), in dogs and cats respectively. Animals younger than 3 months of age were more likely to be infected with ascarids (P< 0.001) andCystoisosporaspp. (P= 0.008 andP= 0.014) than older animals. All lungworms were morphologically identified and dogs were infected withAngiostrongylus vasorum(0.48%) andCrenosoma vulpis(0.16%) whereas cats were only infected withAelurostrongylus abstrusus(2.08%). This represents the first prevalence study of stray animals in Ireland. Data collected will inform the treatment and in addition, the future monitoring and control studies of parasite populations.