Prevalence of intestinal parasites with special reference to sarcocystis infection in stray dogs and zoo carnivores

Examination of faecal samples of young stray dogs from the locality around a cattle abattoir situated in the Meghalaya-Assam border near Guwahati showed 48% animals positive for Sarcocystis in mixed infection with Ancylostoma (32%), Toxocara (24%) and Isospora (16%). Similar examination conducted in captive carnivores of Assam State Zoo revealed 50% hyenas positive to Sarcocystis in mixed infection with Ancylostoma (62.5%). Of the zoo felines, Sarcocystis infection combined with Isospora was revealed in leopard cats (33.3%) only. The other parasites recorded in felines were Toxascaris in Royal Bengal tiger (50%), Toxocara in leopard (25%), Isospora in clouded leopard (12.5%). The pattern of Sarcocystis infection in stray dogs was comparable with that of hyenas having access to bovine musculatures. The findings were discussed in the light of available literature.