Prevalence and risk factors for Giardia spp. infection in a large national sample of pet dogs visiting veterinary hospitals in the United States (2003–2009)

• Published in: Veterinary parasitology Vol. 195; no. 1-2; pp. 35 - 41
• Main Authors: Mohamed, Ahmed S., Glickman, Larry T., Camp, Joseph W., Lund, Elizabeth, Moore, George E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.07.2013
• Subjects: Age Factors; Animals; Breeding; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dog Diseases - parasitology; Dogs; Electronic Health Records; Epidemiological Monitoring - veterinary; Feces - parasitology; Female; Giardia; Giardia - isolation & purification; Giardia spp; Giardiasis - diagnosis; Giardiasis - epidemiology; Giardiasis - parasitology; Giardiasis - veterinary; Hospitals, Animal; Infectious disease; Male; Multivariate Analysis; Prevalence; Protozoa; Risk Factors; Seasons; Sex Factors; Surveillance; United States - epidemiology; United States; USA, Colorado; Giardia spp; Infectious disease; Protozoa; Surveillance; Risk factors; Dogs
• ISSN: 0304-4017; 1873-2550
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.12.049

Estimates of the prevalence of intestinal infection of dogs with Giardia spp. in the United States vary widely. Risk factors for infection in a large sample of dogs over an extended period of time have not been well characterized. A national, electronic database of medical records was used to estimate the prevalence and identify risk factors for Giardia spp. infection among dogs visiting Banfield Pet Hospital™ located in 43 states in the United States. The overall prevalence of Giardia spp. Infection was 0.44% (95% CI: 0.43–0.45%) in approximately 2.5 million owned dogs who had a fecal flotation test performed from January 2003 to December 2009. A steady decrease in annual prevalence was observed, from a high of 0.61% in 2003 to 0.27% in 2009. Seasonal increases in prevalence were noted during the winter and summer months. Giardia spp. prevalence was highest in the Mountain region, especially Colorado (2.63%; 95% CI: 2.53–2.73%), and in puppies ≤0.5 year of age (0.63%; 95% CI: 0.61–0.64%). It was lowest for dogs of mixed breeding compared with pure breeds. Infection risk was 25–30% greater in sexually intact dogs compared to spayed and neutered dogs.