Hemato-Biochemical changes in dogs infected with toxocara canis in Hurghada and Luxor governorate

Toxocara canis is a gastrointestinal nematode affecting dogs with significant public health importance. this study is conducted to find the hematological and biochemical changes in dogs infected with toxocara canis and to detect the effects of sex, age, and season on the percent of infection with this parasite. A total of 70 dogs were included in this experiment. Fecal, hematologic and serum samples were collected from veterinary clinics in Hurghada and Luxor governorate. Microscopic analysis of fecal samples revealed three types of intestinal parasites: Toxocara canis (n= 19), Toxascaris leonina (n= 5), Isospora canis (n=4) and mixed infection of Toxocara canis and Isospora canis (n= 3). Whole blood samples were examined for total erythrocytic count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, total leukocytic count and differential leukocytic count. Serum samples were separated and analyzed for total protein, albumin, Alanine aminotransferase and Aspartate aminotransferase. Significant decrease in red blood cells count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume along with significant increase in white blood cells count and eosinophils were recorded in dogs infected with Toxacara canis. Significant decrease in total protein, albumin accompanied by significant increase in Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase values were found. Sex, season, and breed showed non-significant differences in infection percent of intestinal parasites, but age had high impact on infection percent of intestinal parasites.