Prevalence of Enteropathogens in Dogs Attending 3 Regional Dog Parks in Northern California

Hascall, K.L.; Kass, P.H.; Saksen, J.; Ahlmann, A.; Scorza, A.V.; Lappin, M.R.; Marks, S.L.

This study was approved by the University of California, Davis, Institutional Review Board, and all owners signed an informed consent form. Three Northern California regional public dog parks within Yolo and Sacramento counties were visited between the months of August and November, 2014, by a computerized randomizer a to determine the schedule for park visits and fecal collection. Fresh fecal samples were collected from all dogs by their owners during the time of park visitation. A comprehensive questionnaire b was developed to obtain information on each dog's signalment, lifestyle, environment, and medical history, including whether the animal had been dewormed within the past 6 months. The completed questionnaire, informed owner consent form, and contact information were obtained from each dog's owner at the time of sample collection. A modified Nestl e Purina Fecal Scoring chart with color images of different fecal consistencies was utilized by owners to determine their dog's fecal score on a scale of 1-6, with a score of 1 representing a hard, dry fecal specimen, and a score of 6 representing a liquid specimen. Fecal scores ≥4 were deemed to be diarrheic. Owners were asked to assess the average consistency of their dog's feces over the previous month before enrolling their dog in the study, as well as on the day of their dog's visit to the dog park. In addition, the investigators determined fecal scores on all but the first 34 fecal specimens at the time of fecal collection. The samples were kept labeled and double-bagged in a temperature-controlled cooler until the end of the 1-to 2-hour park visit, after which they were separated into 2 aliquots for further processing and evaluation. One aliquot was immediately delivered to the Parasitology Laboratory at UC Davis, and the second aliquot on ice packs was delivered via courier to a veterinary commercial reference laboratory c within 24 hours of collection.