Spectrum of species and infection frequency of endoparasites in bitches and their puppies in south Germany

Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, hookworms, Trichuris vulpis, Strongyloides, Hammondia heydorni, Sarcocystis spp., Isospora canis and Isospora ohioensis and/or Isospora burrowsi of at least 9 species were detected in 100 randomly selected dog families in Southern Germany. Examinations carried out 5 to 9 times at weekly intervals revealed a monoinfection in 37 litters, infection with two parasite species in 28 litters, with three species in 10 litters and with four species in 6 litters. During the investigation period, 29 of the examined litters did not excrete helminth eggs, and, of these, 19 also did not excrete oocysts/sporocysts. In order of decreasing frequency among the dog families, the excretion extent of the litters and their mothers was as follows: Toxocara canis 67% and 45%, Isospora ohioensis/burrowsi 36% and 24%, Sarcocystis spp. 12% and 19%, Isospora canis 16% and 8%, Hammondia heydorni 7% and 6%, hookworms 6% and 7% and Toxascaris leonina 3% and 8%, respectively. Trichuris vulpis and Strongyloides eggs were only detected in 6 and 3 of the bitches, respectively.