Prevalence and risk factors of helminths' infection of dogs in three towns of west Shoa zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia

Dogs are the most common companion animals worldwide. They are among the main reservoirs, carriers, and transmitters of many infectious and parasitic diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ambo, Bako and Gojo towns of West Shoa Zone, from January 2015 to June 2017 with the objectives of estimating the prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal helminths of dogs. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used for data analysis. P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Out of 310 dogs sampled and subjected to faecal examination using flotation and sedimentation methods, 158 (50.97%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.26-56.66%) of the dogs were positive for helminths infection. The study identified Ancylostoma caninum (36.8%), Toxocara canis (9.7%), Uncinaria spp. (4.5%), Physaloptera canis (4.5%), Salminicola canis (3.22%), Oncicola canis (1.9%), Spirocerca lupi (0.3%), T. leonina (1.0%), Trichuris vulpis (0.97%), Diphyllobothrium (1.29%), Taenid spp. (0.3%), and Mesocestoides spp. (0.3%). Out of the 243 male and 67 female dogs examined, 123 males (50.6%) and 35 females (52.2%) were positive for one or more gastrointestinal helminths. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the overall prevalence of helminth infections between sexes, age, breed, district and management of dogs. From the total positive dogs, 123 (39.7%) had a single infection while 36 (11.6%) of dogs had mixed infection. The odds of acquiring T. canis was 4.88 times higher in dogs of Gojo (p = 0.004) as compared to Bako town. The probability of acquiring T. canis infection was 4.49 times higher in juvenile dogs (p = 0.012) as compared to adult dogs. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths of dogs in Ambo, Bako, and Gojo towns was high. The diversity of the helminth parasites detected together with their zoonotic importance calls for the need of regular deworming and training of dog owners to create awareness about transmission, clinical signs, prevention, and control of helminth parasites.