A survey of gastrointestinal parasites in dogs illegally entering the UK (2015–2017)

Abstract

Abstract Background This study involving non‐compliant, seized dogs entering the UK surveyed endoparasites detected in faecal samples. A focus was placed on taeniid infection as the detection of these tapeworms acts as a marker for failure of effective tapeworm treatment. Methods Individual faecal samples taken from 65 dogs over a 24‐month period were examined for helminth eggs, for protozoal oocysts and cysts, using a centrifugal flotation technique. Any sample presenting positive results for taeniid eggs had residual faeces examined using polymerase chain reaction to aid speciation of the tapeworm eggs. Additionally, a Baermann technique was used to assess faeces for lungworm larvae. Results Patent endoparasite infection was detected in 27.7% of dog faecal samples. No sample was positive for lungworm larvae. Five dogs were co‐infected with Isospora spp. and Toxocara canis . One dog sample was detected with taeniid eggs, identified as Taenia serialis . Conclusions The taeniid‐positive dog indicated that appropriate tapeworm treatment may not have occurred, reinforcing the risk to the UK of illegally imported dogs potentially introducing Echinococcus multilocularis infection.