Investigation of Dipylidium caninum in Dogs: Prevalence, Intensity, and Associated Risk Factors in Gondar Town, Ethiopia

Dipylidium caninum , a common tapeworm in dogs, poses a significant public health and veterinary concern. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of Dipylidium caninum in dogs in Gondar town. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to December 2024. Data were stored into Microsoft Excel software version 19 and analyzed using SPSS (version 20). Logistic regression analysis and descriptive statistics was used to analyze the collected data. A total of 384 dogs were randomly selected and examined for Dipylidium caninum infection by using centrifugal flotation and McMaster techniques to determine its prevalence and intensity respectively. Of these, 79 were found positive, yielding a prevalence of (20.57%). The highest prevalence was recorded in young (32.91%) followed by poor body condition (23.58%), local breed (23.49%) and male dogs (22.27%). The intensity of infection was measured by egg per gram counts, with significant variations observed across different risk factors. Age and body condition were significantly associated with infection intensity, with younger dogs (< 1 year) and those in poor body condition showing the highest mean egg per gram counts. Sex and breed were not significantly associated with infection intensity. The study highlights that younger dogs and those in poor health are at a higher risk for severe infections. Based on these findings, it is recommended that targeted deworming programs focus on high-risk groups, particularly puppies and dogs in poor body condition. Furthermore, further investigation should be undertaken on both dog and vector.