Parasitic infections in dogs involved in animal-assisted interventions

Abstract

Animal Assisted Interventions (AAIs) programmes have been considered useful in different settings, such as hospital, therapeutic, educational and assisted living environments. In these contexts, all animals, and particularly dogs, should be subjected to appropriate health controls to prevent a potential risk of transmission of zoonotic agents. Domestic dogs are reservoirs of many zoonotic pathogens including several gastrointestinal parasites (protozoa and helminths). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of the protozoan Giardia duodenalis and zoonotic gastrointestinal nematodes (geohelminths) in dogs hosted in a dog educational centre in the city of Naples (southern Italy) where the animals were trained to AAI. Between April and June 2016, 74 dog faecal samples were analysed using the FLOTAC dual technique to detect G. duodenalis cysts and other parasitic elements. Out of the 74 faecal samples examined, 18 (24.3%; 95% CI ¼ 15.4-35.9) were positive for parasitic elements. Specifically, 8 were positive for G. duodenalis (44.4%; 95% CI ¼ 22.4-68.7). In addition, some co-infections were also found: one sample (5.6%; 95% CI ¼ 0.3-29.4) resulted positive to both Toxocara canis and Trichuris vulpis and two samples (11.1%; 95% CI ¼ 1.9-36.1) were positive to both G. duodenalis and Ancylostomidae. Given that children, young adults and immunocompromised individuals are among the main users of the AAIs, specific guidelines targeting G. duodenalis and other gastrointestinal zoonotic parasites should be formulated in order to develop effective control and prevention strategies and reduce the zoonotic risk favoured by the human-dog interaction.

Animal-Assisted Therapy as a Non-Pharmacological Approach in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Retrospective Study

“…The co-therapist dogs underwent regular health and behavioral checks, carried out in collaboration between our Department and Public Veterinary Service of the “ASL Napoli1”. In addition, for each session, disinfectant wipes (chlorhexidine, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid-tromethamine (Tris-EDTA), zinc gluconate, and glycerin) were used to clean the coat, the claws, and the tail of the dog to avoid the transmission of zoonotic agents (e.g., bacteria, fungi, parasitic elements) [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Changes of Oxytocin and Serotonin Values in Dialysis Patients after Animal Assisted Activities (AAAs) with a Dog—A Preliminary Study

“…At T1 and T2 of each AAA session, disinfectant wipes (chlorhexidine, TRIS-EDTA, zinc gluconate and glycerin) were used to clean the coat, the fingertips, and the tail of the dog to avoid the transmission of zoonotic agents (e.g., bacteria, fungi, parasitic elements) [60,61,62,63,64,65]. When the dog fidgeted (for example, screaming, slapping) and did not respond to attempts to redirect its behaviour, the veterinarian intervened promptly to minimize the effects of the stressful situation by changing the activity, maintaining a distance between the dog and the stressful stimulus or putting the dog in resting condition on the mat with an “oral discharge” [16].…”

Occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in Dogs Being Trained for Animal-Assisted Therapy

“…In this regard, Shen et al [ 9 ] showed that bodily contact significantly influenced the effectiveness of AAT. On the other hand, during these interventions, because of repeated contact with the dog’s mucosae (e.g., mouth mucosa), patients can be exposed to zoonotic pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses, and fungi) transmitted by the dog through direct contact [ 3 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Several reports describe human P. multocida infections acquired subsequent to close contact with a dog, such as sharing a bed or by licking or sniffing [ 10 , 16 , 18 ].…”