Prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites in stray dogs euthanized at the canine control Center in the Miguel Hidalgo Neighborhood of the Tlahuac District in Mexico City.

Parasitosis in companion animals are of great importance and there are species of zoonotic character, since they affect humans. The large number of dogs, including a significant proportion of stray animals, contributes to the spread of infectious agents in the environment, increasing the human population's exposure. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminths in stray dogs through post-mortem inspection. A total of 266 small intestinal samples were obtained from dogs captured and euthanized at the Centro de Control Canino y Felino at the Miguel Hidalgo Neighborhood from Tlahuac District in Mexico City during the months of February-August. The results showed that 99 (37.2%) of the dogs examined had the presence of at least one type of parasite. Of the 99 dogs, 85 (85.9%) of them had single infection, while 12 (12.1%) had double infection, and 2 (2%) had triple infection. Among the helminths recovered, A. caninum (P < 0.05) was the only nematode recovered in 36 (36.4%) dogs, while D. caninum and T. pisiformis cestodes (P < 0.05) were obtained in 68 (68.7%) and 11 (11.1%) dogs; respectively. Double infections (12.1%) occurred in 12 dogs, of which 11 (91.7%) had A. caninum-D. caninum association and 1 (8.3%) had D. caninum-T. pisiformis association. In relation to triple infections, presented in two of the dogs, A. caninum-D. caninum-T. pisiformis association was present in both (100%). The highest prevalence rate for A. caninum was recorded in February with 29.8% (17/57), while for D. caninum was recorded in August with 30% (12/40), and for T. pisiformis was recorded in March with 11.1% (6/54).. The presence of mixed infections highlights environmental contamination in the sampling region, emphasizing the importance of parasite control to prevent transmission to humans at high risk of contracting infections caused by D. caninum and A. caninum.