Condições de risco de parasitismo por Dioctophyme Renale em cães no município de Uruguaiana

Abstract

The present study was developed aiming to perform a survey of dogs referred to the Image Department of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Pampa’s Federal University, and to select patients diagnosed with dioctophymatosis. A documental survey was carried out analyzing medical records, and collecting data of patients presented to the Department during the years of 2015 to 2017. Information from animal’s medical record included: diagnostic method, clinical signs, location of the parasite(s), age of the patient, gender, contact with other dogs, parasite control, feeding habits, and address of owner. The address was pointed on a city map, and the proximity with the Uruguay River and flood areas was evaluated, allowing to design which strategies of Family Health were covered at the infected areas. A descriptive observational study was carried out with the evaluation of the sites and surroundings, aiming to characterize the risk factors of exposure to the parasite, such as: presence of stray animals, rivers or nearby river channels, trash on public roads, basic sanitation, paving of public roads and areas flooded. Data were described and analyzed by percentage distribution. Between the years 2015 and 2017, abdominal ultrasonography was performed in 742 patients. Of this amount, dioctophymatosis was diagnosed in 13 dogs, representing 1.75% of the cases. Regarding the dogs' gender, 69% (nine animals) were male. It was noticed that 46% (six animals) fed on homemade food and dog food alternately, another 46% (six animals), only dog food and only 8% (one patient) received only homemade food. Most owners (54% / seven animals) reported that their pets had free access to the street, 23% (three animals) only remained inside the yard and 85% (11 animals) lived with other dogs. All the households observed had a fence or wall of protection and 77% of the animals had owners. Only one animal (10%) lives in the vicinity of a waterway, 89% of the visited places had trash on public roads and 85% had dogs in the streets. It was noted that the city of Uruguayana has favorable environment and conditions for the development and maintenance of Dioctophyme renale. The water potential of the region, with the presence of flooded areas and floods at certain times of the year, the presence of trash in the streets, open sewage, associated with eating habits and semi-domicile management of the dogs contribute to the occurrence of parasitism in distant neighborhoods of the slopes of the Uruguay River. Epidemiological studies in different regions and including stray dogs need to be performed in order to clarify the causes of the perpetuation of the cycle of the parasite and elucidate the occurrence of this disease.