Summary

A cross sectional prevalence study of canine helminthoses

in the Faroe Islands has not been described

previously. In the present survey dog owners

were approached through a clinic in Thorshavn and

directly by personal approach or telephone in other

towns and townships. A total of 227 faecal samples

from dogs were examined in February-March

2004. The dogs were 2 months to 12 years old

and included 102 sheep dogs and 125 pet dogs,

of which 104 were bitches and 123 male dogs. 51

dogs were imported, mainly from Scotland and

Denmark. The faecal samples were examined by

means of flotation and baermannization. In total

helminth eggs or larvae were detected in 18 dogs

(7.9 %), the specific prevalences being 4.0 % for

Toxocara canis (all sheep dogs), 2.6 % for Taenia

(all sheep dogs), 2.6 % for

spp. (all sheep dogs), 0.9 % for Trichuris vulpis,

0.4 % (one dog imported from Copenhagen area

7 years previously) for Angiostrongylus vasorum

and 0.4 % excreted strongylid eggs, most probably

originating from Uncinaria stenocephala.

The prevalences of helminths in sheep dogs were

significantly higher than in pet dogs. T. vulpis, A.

vasorum and possibly U. stenocephala were detected

and possibly were detected

for the first time in the Faroe Islands during

the present survey.