Parasites in shelters: intake protocol for dogs and cats

Question

A shelter in the province of Toledo receives dogs and cats of unknown origin every week, many of them puppies and kittens. There are recurrent outbreaks of diarrhoea and fleas, and they ask you for a protocol.

Which measure is most appropriate on intake?

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A. Treat every animal on arrival against endoparasites and ectoparasites, house them separately for a few days and remove faeces daily

Correct. In shelters every animal is treated on intake, without waiting for results, with a broad-spectrum anthelmintic and an ectoparasiticide (cat-safe in cats), repeated per schedule in puppies and kittens. Quarantine and daily faeces removal cut environmental contamination.

B. Perform a faecal examination on each animal and treat only the positives

Shedding of eggs and cysts is intermittent, and there are no eggs during the prepatent period: many false negatives. In high-risk populations everyone is treated.

C. Rely on daily disinfection with common disinfectants, which kills ascarid eggs on the floor

Toxocara eggs are highly resistant to common disinfectants and survive for years in the environment. What works is removing faeces promptly, cleaning and drying.

D. House newcomers with resident animals to socialise them and treat them if signs appear

Mixing untreated animals with residents perpetuates outbreaks of parasites and infections. Many parasitic infections are subclinical until the burden is high.

lightbulb Key takeaway

In shelters think at population level: systematic treatment on intake, repeat treatment every 2 weeks in puppies and kittens, flea control in all animals and the environment, and daily faeces removal. In endemic areas also protect dogs against sand flies and ticks.

Which measure is most appropriate on intake?

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