EU Study Shows the Importance of Faecal Testing in Combination with Dewormers
Toxocara roundworms are widespread, infecting many young dogs and cats. However, few studies have shown how common infection is in adult dogs due to a lack of faecal testing. Assumptions that parasitic infection is relatively common has led to veterinary professionals administering preventative dewormers monthly across Europe.
Many veterinarians also assume that by recommending routine deworming, pet owners will comply, and treatment will be effective. Large faecal studies in dogs help assess the truth behind these assumptions and can tailor the approach to diagnostics and treatment of intestinal worms.
What We Can Learn from the Faecal Testing Study
In a recent study in Parasites & Vectors, fresh faecal samples were collected from 2,469 dogs visiting 164 parks in 33 cities across 12 countries. The collected samples were examined for hookworms, whipworms, ascarids, and Giardia using a coproantigen diagnostic immunoassay and microscopy following centrifugal flotation. The study found nematodes in 57% of parks with 7.6% of dogs testing positive.
In Italy and Holland, over 10% of faecal samples tested positive, despite strong deworming messaging from veterinarians. Owner questionnaires showed that 77.2% of owners reported previous anthelmintic use, but 62.7% of owners failed to follow the recommended treatment frequency, leading to positive samples. Lack of compliance is a key issue when it comes to routine deworming. Faecal testing, alongside routine treatment, can alert pet owners and veterinarians when an animal needs treatment.
Why Test Faeces Alongside Routine Treatment?
Testing dog faeces for intestinal nematodes alongside routine preventative treatment can help in improving pet owner compliance, surveying parasite distributions, and recognising when treatment plans are failing.
Demonstrate the Value of Routine Treatment
Regular negative tests in pets participating in routine preventative treatments shows good treatment efficacy and pet owner compliance. This results in positive reinforcement and builds confidence in both the current recommendations and the owner's administration of the product.
The study showed 0% of dogs in the U.K. tested positive for ascarid eggs. Of the dogs tested, two-thirds took preventatives within the previous three months. There was also a correlation between prevalence and treatment frequency in countries where routine deworming is practiced.
Identify Breakdowns in the Efficacy of Routine Treatment
Positive faecal results in pets on preventative regimes indicate a need to investigate the owner's compliance and potential causes of treatment failure. The treatment might fail if the dog vomits after the dose, avoids eating the tablets in food, gets spot-on applications that wash off, receives inadequate treatment frequency, or experiences drug resistance. Without testing, egg shedding would continue undetected in the face of inadequate treatment. With faecal testing, owners can become more aware of compliance issues with preventatives.
Create Parasite Prevalence Data
Data from routine testing can help map parasite distributions in local, regional, or national areas. This data is invaluable for informing practices which parasites are highly prevalent and need to be the focus of control. Surveillance maps are useful tools in assessing regional parasite risk.
Routine faecal testing can also help determine whether anthelmintic drug resistance is common. Detecting drug resistance early is critical to limiting the spread of the parasite.
Increasing Testing Can Decrease the Need for Preventative Treatment
It's also worth noting that Toxocara and other intestinal nematode prevalence was found to be low in Scandinavian countries where regular deworming is not routine practice. Instead, treatment is initiated based on a positive test.
Routine testing is a valid alternative to routine treatment if it's carried out at the same frequency. This has the advantage of reducing anthelmintic use, but owners need to be aware that zoonotic ova shedding can occur between tests. European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites guidelines detail how to best implement treatment routines in veterinary practices.
Routine Faecal Testing Is Part of a Well-Rounded Intestinal Parasite Control Strategy
Whether testing is performed alongside routine treatment or as an alternative, faecal antigen testing is an effective screening tool. It's highly sensitive and specific. It also eliminates complications caused by coprophagia where strongyle eggs from ruminant and horse faeces are often misdiagnosed as persistent hookworm infections. The data in this study highlights the need for regular faecal testing on dogs of all ages as part of a consistent intestinal parasite control strategy.
Without routine faecal testing, veterinarians won't know the efficacy of parasite treatments and pet owner compliance. Improved owner education is key to increasing testing—owners are more likely to put in the necessary time and finances required for preventative regimens when they're aware of the value.
