EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF HELMINTH-PARASITES IN GREYHOUND BREEDING FARMS

The medical and economic importance of gastrointestinal parasites to t he greyhound industry is evidenced by the intensive deworming programs used by trainers and owners of breeding farms. Although parasitism is a major concern, little research has been published regarding gastroi ntestinal helminths of greyhounds in the United States. Greyhounds are raised where they have continual access to dirt or sand runs that som etimes are heavily contaminated with eggs and larvae of parasites. Spe cific deworming programs vary in each breeding farm and racing kennel, but most greyhounds in the Midwest are given anthelmintics starting a t two to three weeks of age. Dogs are then treated every one to three weeks for approximately one year. After this time, greyhounds are dewo rmed with the same or a different anthelmintic every three to four wee ks for the rest of their racing or breeding lives. Even with such rigo rous deworming programs, the prevalence of parasitism may be extremely high. Greyhounds possibly have such a high prevalence of parasitism b ecause of contaminated environments, substantial somatic larval burden s, poor immunity to parasites, and resistance to anthelmintics.