Incidence and treatment of cestodes of dogs in Kerala with special reference to the taenid species

Abstract

Five species of cestodes, viz., dipylidium cenium, Taenia hydatigens, Echinococcus granulosus, Joyeuxiella pasqualei and Diphyllobothrium latum were encountered in dogs in Kerala, of which diphylidium ceninum was the commonest. The incidence of Dipylidium caninum was the highest in animals of the age group of above 5 years, while that of joyeuxiella pasqualei was highest in animals of the age group of above 6 months and upto one year. Echinococcus granuloscus and Taenia hydatigens were most prevalent in the age group of above 5 years. Examination of faecal samples of dogs also revealed that Dipylidium caninum was the most prevalent cestode of dogs. Albendazole at 25 mg/kg body weight. Fenbendazole at 10mg/kg body weight. Hexachlorphene at 15mg/kg body weight, mebendazole at 15 mg/kg body weight repeated for 3 days , niclosamide at 62.5 per Kg body weight and praziquantel at 2.5 mg/kg body weight could remove taenia hydatigena completely. Fenbendazole at 20 mg/kg body weight had an efficacy of only 40% against Ecinococcus granulosus. Fenbendazole at 10mg/kg bodyweight, Mebendazole at 15 mg/kg body weight repeated for 3 days. Niclosamide at125 mg/kg body weight and praziquantel at 5 mg/kg body weight had also 100% efficacy against Dipylidium caninum.