Intestinal parasites in shelter dogs and risk factors associated with the facility and its management

In the framework of a health-care program applied in different canine rescue shelters in Barcelona - Catalonia, North-Eastern Spain, detection of intestinal parasites and risk factors associated with the facility and its management were evaluated in order to improve the effectiveness of control strategies. For that purpose, 544 canine fresh stool samples were collected. The overall prevalence was 61.8% and Giardia spp. was the most frequent parasite detected. Our results showed that factors that would play an important role in reducing parasite prevalence in shelters were, as regards the facility, the use of non-porous material or adequate drainage systems and with respect to the management, the use of appropriate disinfectant. Thus, a coprological examination should be performed periodically in the shelter in order to know which parasites are present, and then, which suitable disinfectant and de-worming treatment should be employed. This information could be useful in guiding decisions about shelter healthcare programmes and control strategies against parasite infection.