Description
Cystoisospora spp., Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Ancylostoma caninum/tubaeforme, Trichuris vulpis, Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati, are common canine and feline nematodes and protozoa that primarily cause gastrointestinal disease, often with diarrhoea as a key sign in heavy burdens. Hookworms (Ancylostoma), whipworms (Trichuris ), roundworms (Toxocara) and Protozoa (Cystoisospora, Giardia and Cryptosporidium) produce small and large intestinal disease with mucoid/hemorrhagic diarrhea, weight loss, anemia (especially hookworms), and pot-bellied appearance in puppies, though many infections are subclinical.
Diagnosis relies on faecal flotation for eggs/cyst/oocyst, antigen tests, but the UlfaQ Canine Worm panel qPCR enhances sensitivity for low burdens or prepatent phases by amplifying species-specific DNA from faeces. qPCR quantifies load (Ct values) to gauge clinical relevance with high loads correlate with disease severity and detects co-infections in multiplex panels. Fecal qPCR it aids in confirming clearance after anthelmintics when traditional methods fail.
