[The frequency of coccidial infection in dog families of different husbandry and breeds in south Germany].

Oocysts and/or sporocysts were detected in 50 litters and 37 bitches of 100 coproscopically examined dog families in Southern Germany. Oocysts of Isospora spp. were excreted by 41 of the 50 positive litters, 36 and 16 litters shedding oocysts of Isospora ohioensis/burrowsi and I. canis, respectively. Sporocysts of Sarcocystis spp. and oocysts of Hammondia heydorni were detected in 12 and 7 litters, respectively. The excretion rates of the dams were arranged analogous to the detection of oocysts of Isospora spp. in 25 animals. Sporocysts of Sarcocystis and oocysts of H. heydorni were excreted by 19 and 6 dams, respectively. With regard to husbandry conditions distinct differences were established only for Isospora spp., because dog families kept in kennels always revealed higher excretion levels than dog mothers and their litters kept indoors. Excretion intensities increased directly proportional to the number of additional adult dogs and the number of litters born per year/stock, reaching maximum values of 80-100%. Analysis revealed no breed-related differences.