Search citation statements
Paper Sections
Citation Types
Year Published
Publication Types
Relationship
Authors
Journals
Background and Aim: Canine gastrointestinal tract (GIT) parasites are of public health and veterinary concern and are harmful to both humans and animals. The risk of transmitting GIT parasites can be minimized depending on dog owners’ knowledge and management practices. Therefore, this study aimed to assess dog owners’ general knowledge and practices regarding GIT parasites. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire containing 10-point Likert statements was administered to 130 respondents in Cebu, Philippines, to obtain information about their profile (age, sex, civil status, and educational attainment) and data regarding their home environment, number of dogs and other pets owned, and their knowledge and practices regarding canine GIT parasites. These respondents had previously provided canine stool samples for fecalysis. Results: Most respondents were female (65.4%), 18–24 years old (55.4%), single (71.5%), and educated to college level (49.2%). Housing styles were mostly gated (76.9%), and >50% had a garden. The majority owned 1–3 dogs (56.9%) and did not own any other pets (73.8%). All knew about canine GIT parasites. There was a significant association between GIT parasite positivity in dogs and the owner’s sex (p = 0.005). Gastrointestinal parasite positivity was also associated with the owner’s knowledge about the transmission of parasites from the mother’s milk to her puppies (p = 0.001), canine intestinal parasites potentially causing weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting (p = 0.001), and dogs potentially becoming infected with parasites from licking or sniffing the soil or grass where other animals have been (p = 0.005). Moreover, there was a significant association between GIT parasite positivity and the owner’s practice of daily cleaning of the areas where the dog defecated (p = 0.001), deworming every 6–12 months (p = 0.001), and unfailingly following the vaccination and deworming schedule (p = 0.006). Finally, the summative knowledge and practice level of the owners were significantly associated with GIT parasite positivity (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the need for continuous education of dog owners to maintain good knowledge and practices to prevent GIT parasite infection. Frequent deworming (once a month) of adult dogs is recommended. Keywords: dogs, intestinal parasites, soil, vaccination.
Background and Aim: Canine gastrointestinal tract (GIT) parasites are of public health and veterinary concern and are harmful to both humans and animals. The risk of transmitting GIT parasites can be minimized depending on dog owners’ knowledge and management practices. Therefore, this study aimed to assess dog owners’ general knowledge and practices regarding GIT parasites. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire containing 10-point Likert statements was administered to 130 respondents in Cebu, Philippines, to obtain information about their profile (age, sex, civil status, and educational attainment) and data regarding their home environment, number of dogs and other pets owned, and their knowledge and practices regarding canine GIT parasites. These respondents had previously provided canine stool samples for fecalysis. Results: Most respondents were female (65.4%), 18–24 years old (55.4%), single (71.5%), and educated to college level (49.2%). Housing styles were mostly gated (76.9%), and >50% had a garden. The majority owned 1–3 dogs (56.9%) and did not own any other pets (73.8%). All knew about canine GIT parasites. There was a significant association between GIT parasite positivity in dogs and the owner’s sex (p = 0.005). Gastrointestinal parasite positivity was also associated with the owner’s knowledge about the transmission of parasites from the mother’s milk to her puppies (p = 0.001), canine intestinal parasites potentially causing weight loss, diarrhea, and vomiting (p = 0.001), and dogs potentially becoming infected with parasites from licking or sniffing the soil or grass where other animals have been (p = 0.005). Moreover, there was a significant association between GIT parasite positivity and the owner’s practice of daily cleaning of the areas where the dog defecated (p = 0.001), deworming every 6–12 months (p = 0.001), and unfailingly following the vaccination and deworming schedule (p = 0.006). Finally, the summative knowledge and practice level of the owners were significantly associated with GIT parasite positivity (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the need for continuous education of dog owners to maintain good knowledge and practices to prevent GIT parasite infection. Frequent deworming (once a month) of adult dogs is recommended. Keywords: dogs, intestinal parasites, soil, vaccination.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
334 Leonard St
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.