Original scientific paper
The Presence of the nematode Ancylostoma caninum in red foxes from Medvednica Nature Park
Tomislav Stojanović
Miroslav Vlašić
Tatjana Živičnjak
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Dagny Stojčević Jan
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Snježana Lučinger
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Franjo Martinković
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Dean Konjević
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a potential host of numerous parasites, including the nematode Ancylostoma caninum. In certain conditions this nematode can pose a risk for the health of humans and domestic animals. This means that it is extremely important to monitor the health of wild red foxes, especially those living in suburban and urban areas, as well as in Nature and National Parks. In such areas the risk of mutual transmission of diseases between foxes, domestic animals and humans has increased. This is mainly due to increased human activity, visits by domestic animals with different parasitic status and the increased fox population. In this research, the results of macroscopic and additional analysis of the gastrointestinal system of 28 foxes are presented. Fox carcasses originated from Medvednica Nature Park and were collected within the Game Protection Program. The nematode A. caninum was found in 10 animals (36%). We did not find any statistically significant differences between different nature protection areas (????2 = 2.273; p = 0.131; OR = 5.50; CI (95%) = 0.51-59.01. We found a relatively high prevalence of this nematode in the Medvednica fox population.
Keywords
Ancylostoma caninum; red fox; Medvednica Mountain
Hrčak ID:
231408
URI
Publication date:
22.6.2015.
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