ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to determine the clinical course and epidemiological pattern of intestinal nematodes in
dogs in Upper Egypt, and their impact on various hematological and biochemical parameters. A total number of
120 dogs (Age =1 month to 3 year), both sex and of different breed’s size (small and large) were included in the
present study. Parasitological, clinical, hemato-biochemical and epidemiological examinations were conducted.
Microscopic analysis of fecal samples (n=120) revealed three types of intestinal nematodes: Toxocara canis (n=
28), Toxascaris leonina (n =5), Ancylostoma caninum (n = 4) and mixed infection of Toxocara canis and
Dipylidium caninum (n =2) with an overall infection rate 32.5% (39/120). Toxocara canis was predominate type
of nematodal parasite infection in the studied population (23.3%). Puppies (0-<3 months) were greatly affected
with intestinal nematodes (54.8%), in particularly Toxocara canis (45.2%). Infected puppies showed off food,
pale mucous membrane diarrhea abdominal bloating with potbellied appearance and vomiting. Other group of
examined animals (n= 54) showed no clinical signs (asymptomatic) however a portion of this group (25.9%) was
infected suggesting that absence of clinical symptoms was not an evidence of the absence of infection. Sex and
breed showed non-significant differences (P>0.05) on infection rate of intestinal nematodes but season had high
impact on nematodal infection The infection rate showed significant (P<0.05) increasing in winter (42.3%) and
autumn (43.8%) with a maximum infection rate reported in December (60%) and January (56.5%).
Hematological data generated from 35 blood samples of infected and 40 samples of healthy dog populations
showed significant decrease (P>0.05) in erythrocytic parameters (RBCs, Hb, PCV) and platelets count in
infected group, whereas group differences for TWBCs, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils and
basophils were non-significant high. Biochemical data generated revealed significant decrease (P >0.01) in the
value of serum total protein in infected group. Liver enzymes showed significant increase (P>0.01) in serum
AST, ALT and ALP in infected group compared with healthy one. In conclusion, intestinal nematode in dogs
was common in Upper Egypt with infection rate of 32.5% and Toxocara canis was the most common nematode
infection (23.3%). They have significant effects on hematological and biochemical parameters suggestin g their
importance as a health problem in dogs.