Echinococcosis in Dogs and Its Treatment with Mebendazole and Epsiprantel

Echinococcosis is one of the most important dog related zoonotic disease of animals and human (Soulsby, 1982). Infection with the larval forms of Echinococcus granulosus are responsible for considerable economic losses to meat industry because of liver damage in food animals. Whereas adult tapeworms in the gut of infected dog may produce clinical signs. The prevalence of E. granulosus in stray dogs in and around Faisalabad is 14 per cent (Hyat et al., 1991). Leading to a high risk of faecal contamination of environment with the worm's eggs which can ultimately affect the human and animal population which is particularly in close association to dogs (Hassanouh and Behbehani, 1976). In order to achieve an effective control of tape worm infections and to break the life cycle, it is of utmost importance that the dogs should kept away from slaughter houses. Moreover, regular administrations of the cestocidal drugs to the pets along with destruction of stray dogs should be under taken. The present study was designed to find out the incidence of Echinococcus granulosus infection and to assess and compare the efficacy of Epsiprantel and Mcbcndazole against Hydatidosis in dogs.