Intestinal protozoa are among the most important pathogens affecting dogs. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of intestinal protozoan infections in dogs through the examination of fecal samples. A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from dogs of different ages, sexes, health statuses, and management systems Each sample was examined using several diagnostic approaches, including direct wet smear, flotation (concentration) technique, and culture methods. In addition, various staining techniques were employed to facilitate protozoan identification under a light microscope.
The findings revealed that 59 samples (59%) were positive when all diagnostic methods were considered. The detection rates varied according to the diagnostic technique used, with positivity rates of 41% for the direct smear, 55% for the concentration method, and 59% for the culture method. Regarding staining procedures, differences in detection efficiency were also observed, with a positivity rate of 59% using Lugol’s iodine stain, modified acid-fast staining technique 56% and 39% by using Iron-Hematoxylin Staining technique
Out of the 100 examined fecal samples, 59 (59%) were infected with at least one intestinal protozoan species. Three protozoan species were identified, Cystoisospora spp. (42.37%) , Cryptosporidium spp. (33.89%), whereas Giardia spp. (23.72%). A markedly higher infection rate was observed among stray dogs (83.72%). Female exhibited a higher prevalence of infection (70.68%) than males. Younger dogs were more frequently infected (76.31%) than older. Furthermore, dogs with diarrheic conditions demonstrated a higher prevalence of infection (73.91%) compared with clinically healthy, which showed a relatively lower infection rate.