Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths and associated risk factors in dogs in selected breeding kennels in the greater Kampala area.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal helminths remain a major health challenge in dogs, compromising dog welfare, productivity, and posing public health risks. Despite the large dog population in the greater Kampala area, data on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths and associated risk factors among dogs kept by dog breeders remains limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths and identify factors associated with gastrointestinal helminth infestation among dogs in dog breeding kennels in the greater Kampala area. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 90 dogs purposively selected from three dog breeding kennels. Fresh fecal samples were collected per rectum and examined using standard floatation and sedimentation techniques at the Central Diagnostic laboratory (CDL), Makerere University. Data on dog demographics and management practices were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests were performed using Stata version 14.2. This study detected only nematodes, 57 of the 90 (63.3%) sampled dogs had gastrointestinal helminths with a prevalence of 63.3% for strongyles and 15.6% for strongyloides spp. Body condition scores appeared better in Kennels which had less helminth prevalence. Kennel location and deworming interval were associated with helminth infestation among the sampled dogs (p < 0.001). These findings reveal a high burden of gastrointestinal nematodes among dogs kept in breeding kennels in the greater Kampala area. Implementing regular deworming strategies targeting nematodes especially strongyles is recommended to reduce gastrointestinal helminth infestation and transmission, improve canine health and minimize potential public health risks from gastrointestinal helminths.