Open AccessToxocara canis in puppies and their public health importance in Grenada
Author(s) -
Regan Schwartz,
Satesh Bidaisee,
C. N. L. Macpherson
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
caribbean medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2664-5599
pISSN - 0374-7042
DOI - 10.48107/cmj.2019.04.006
Subject(s) - puppy , toxocara canis , canis , toxocariasis , veterinary medicine , medicine , public health , feces , environmental health , zoonotic disease , disease , helminths , biology , immunology , pathology , ecology , paleontology
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Toxocara canis in puppies under 1 year of age and to understand the human-puppy relationship and risk behavior and also to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding its zoonotic potential amongst puppy owners, veterinarians, physicians and 6th term veterinary studentsMethods: A cross-sectional prevalence study in puppies less than one year of age was conducted by collecting fecal samples from puppies during the period January through November 2017 from households in all 6 parishes throughout Grenada. These were tested for T. canis positivity. The owners of the puppies as well as veterinarians, physicians and veterinary students were surveyed using a questionnaire.Results: A total of 306 fecal samples were collected. 147 (48%) puppies were positive for T. canis; of these 142 puppies were < 7 months of age and 5 between 7-10 months. 35 owners never treated puppies, 97% never spayed or neutered their adult dogs, 68% allowed their puppies to roam free and only 9% cleaned up after their puppies. 16.7% of physicians spoke with patients about zoonotic disease potential, none have ever diagnosed toxocariasis in adults or children in Grenada, and 60% cited ‘no concern’ regarding the zoonotic potential of T. canis to their patients. 6.5% of veterinary students ranked a ‘significant concern’ regarding the zoonotic potential of T. canis, 3.3% were aware of four clinical toxocariasis syndromes in humans and 64.5% correctly identified the main route for human transmission.Conclusion: Puppies present a zoonotic threat to public health in Grenada. The zoonotic nature of T. canis is predominantly unknown to the public and there is a need for educating the general public regarding its public health importance.