Prevalence and Worm Load of Enteric Helminthiasis in Stray Dogs of Chittagong Metropolitan, Bangladesh

representative thanas in two consecutive seasons starting from May’2010 to February’ 2011. The animals were captured, euthanized and necropsized for enteric parasites. The effects of season, age, sex and body conditions were also observed. Results revealed that 57 (95%) dogs were infected with one or more enteric helminths. The highest prevalence (45%) and worm burden (42.18 ± 7.99) was recorded in Trichuris vulpis infection whereas Taenia spp were found the lowest. Considerably higher prevalence (25%) was recorded in Diphyllobothrium latum and Ancylostoma caninum infection. However, occurrence of enteric helminths was more common in summer season. The highest (35.71%) seasonal prevalence was found in Toxocara canis infection in summer whereas the highest intensity of worms was found in Trichuris vulpis infections in both summer (37.18±9.37) and winter season (47.33±12.73). Age specific prevalence indicated that stray dogs of younger age showed higher susceptibility to enteric helminthiasis compared to adults; particularly Dipylidium caninum, A. caninum, T. canis and T. vulpis. Sex group variation showed that the frequency of D. latum, D. caninum and A. caninum was higher in female dogs. Statistically significant association was not observed in the occurrence of enteric helminthiasis based on the body condition of the stray dogs. In conclusion, it could be stated that the presence of these parasites in dogs also indicates a potential public health problem in study area. Hence, appropriate control measures should be taken to prevent such parasitic diseases.