Cat and Dog Gastrointestinal Helminth and Assessment of Community Perception on Helminthic Zoonosis in Haramaya Town, Eastern Ethiopia

2 Abstract: Across sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 in Haramaya town with the objective of estimating the prevalence of Gastero-intestinal (GI) helminthes parasite of pet dog and cat including assessment of owner's awareness level regarding pet parasite zoonotic risk. A total of 384 fresh fecal samples were collected for copromicroscopic examination after employing floatation technique. The overall prevalence of Gastero-intestinal(GI) helminthes was 83.1% in which 91% of dogs and 65.9% of cats were infected with at least one helminthic parasite. In both hosts Ancylostoma was the most prevalent parasite, specifically 70.5% indogs and 37.5% in cats followed by Toxocarawith 30.3% in dogs and 32.5% in cats while Physaloptera (1.1%) and Diplidiumcaninum (1.7%) were the least prevalent parasites in dogs and cats, respectively. The overall prevalence of GIT helminthes was significantly (p<0.05) higher in dog species (OR=6.1) and young animals (OR=2.4) than the counter cat and adult age group. Ancylostoma parasite had significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence in canine than felines (OR=4.1) and it also had a significantly (p<0.05) greater prevalent in young animals than adult (OR=1.6). Toxocara parasites had considerably (p<0.05) higher prevalence in female pets (OR=3.9) and young animal (OR=4) than the counter male and adult pet. The result of the questioner revealed that only small portion of the owners 15(10%) was aware of helminthic zoonosis from their pets. In conclusion, the prevalence of GIT helminthes in pet dog and cat was high in the study area while awareness level of pet owners proved to be low. Therefore, the necessary measures should be put in place to reduce and control the heavy parasitic infestation including management measures and strategic deworming along launching awareness creation schemes in the community.