Helminth findings in indigenous racoon dogs Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834)

Internal organs of 74 racoon dogs originating from the eastern districts of the Federal Land Brandenburg were subjected to a complete helminthological dissection. In addition, samples of diaphragma muscles from 46 further ani mals were examined for Trichinella larvae. Altogether 3 trematode- (Alaria alata, Isthmiophora melis, Metorchis bilis), 3 cestode- (Mesocestoides sp., Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia poly,acantha) and 7 nematode species ( Capillaria aerophila, C plica, Trichinella spiralis, Uncinaria stenocephala , Molineus patens, Crenosoma vulpis, Toxocara canis) could be identified. T hereby, the racoon dog has a comparable helminth spectrum as well known in red foxes. Differences in the frequency of the occurrence of helminths in b oth hosts can be explained by different food preferences.