Age and breed susceptibility of dogs to the causative agent of cystoisosporosis

Abstract

Cystoisosporosis refers to a protozoan parasitic disease caused by coccidia of the genus Cystoisospora canis in dogs, especially young ones. Pathogens are localized in the small intestine of animals and lead to an imbalance of microflora, indigestion, enteritis, and diarrhea. Knowledge of the epizootological features of this invasion makes it possible to carry out complex preventive measures more effectively and maintain well-being in certain territories. The research aimed to establish the dependence of the infection of dogs with the causative agent of cystoisosporosis on their age and breed. The conducted studies established that the age-related dynamics of cystoisosoporosis in the conditions of the city of Kharkiv were characterized by a decrease in the extent of infestation with the age of the dogs. The most affected were young animals up to 6 months of age, where the extent of infestation was 32.0 %. In dogs aged 6–12 months and 1–3 years, the extent of cystoisosporous infestation decreases to 18.9 and 4.7 %, respectively. Dogs aged 3 to 6 years and older than six were the least affected by cystoisospor oocysts, where the extent of infestation is 4.7 and 2.7 %, respectively. Breed susceptibility to cystoisosprosis is characterized by the most excellent infestation of mixed-breed dogs and purebred animals, where their average infestation was at the level of 22.0 %. Cystoisosporosis was less often diagnosed in dogs of hunting, service, and decorative breeds; the extent of infestation ranged from 10.3 to 14.3 %. In terms of breeds, the highest infestation by protozoan organisms was found in labrador retrievers (extensive infestation 6.0 %), German shepherds (3.9 %), dachshunds (3.5 %), Yorkshire terriers (3.2 %) and cocker spaniels (2.8 %). The obtained data allow us to take into account the obtained results regarding the age and breed susceptibility of dogs to coccidia of the genus Cystoisospora for timely diagnosis and prevention of cystoisosporosis.