GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF SHEPERD DOGS FROM TETOVO REGION MACEDONIA

A total of 78 faecal samples from owned shepherd dogs were collected in Tetovo, Macedonia and were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by centrifugation - flotation method that is more sensitive. The overall prevalence of parasitism in the tested samples was 0,71%. The species found and the infective percentage were: Ancylostoma caninum 41%, Trichuris vulpis 39.2% and Toxocara canis 17,8. The parasite Angiostrongylus vasorum was found in only 1 sample. There was not observed any significant difference in prevalence between dogs genders according the species of parasite found. Young animals were found to more frequently shed nematode eggs in faeces than adult animals. The presence of zoonotic species of parasites in dogs in the studied region, associated with the elevated degree of misinformation of the owners, indicates that the risk of zoonotic infection by canine intestinal parasite may be high.