Faecal samples were collected from impounded stray dogs, classified as under or over six months of age, on their arrival in kennels and again 5-7 days later. The faeces were examined for the presence of campylobacters, salmonella and Giardia lamblia. No significant difference was found in the rate of isolation of these organisms between the two age groups. There was, however, a significant increase in the rate of isolation at days 5-7 compared with day 1. It is suggested that while dogs may acquire campylobacter infection in kennels, excretion of the organism may be intermittent and may be precipitated by stress. A low incidence of salmonellae and Giardia lamblia excretion was detected.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1981

Isolation of thermophilic campylobacters from two populations of dogs.

Faecal samples were collected from newly impounded stray dogs and from dogs presented to a clinic by their owners. The dogs were categorised as strays or pets and their faeces as formed or unformed. The faeces were examined bacteriologically. Campylobacters were significantly (P less than 0.01) more frequently isolated from the faeces of the stray dogs but there was no significant difference between the frequency of isolation of the organism from formed or unformed faeces. The significance of this finding in relation to public health and animal health is noted.

Animals↗