Occurrences of gastrointestinal parasites were assessed in fecal samples from 3,099 dogs in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, SP, that were treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of São Paulo Veterinary School. The samples were analyzed using the flotation and centrifugal sedimentation methods. The results were compared with those from previous studies (at different times). The frequency of each parasite was correlated with the dogs' ages, breeds and gender, as well as the occurrences of diarrhea and the use of anthelmintics, by means of the chi-square or Fisher exact test. Partitioned chi-square tests were used to compare occurrences of each parasite and the times analyzed. Out of the total number of samples, 20.5% were positive and 16.1% (102/635) of these presented more than one genus of parasites. Ancylostoma spp. (7.1%) and Giardia spp. (5.5%) were the most frequent helminths and protozoa, respectively. Ancylostoma spp. was associated (p<0.05) with age (over one year), mixed breeds, sex (male) and no use of anthelmintics. Dogs under one year and mixed breeds were associated with occurrences of Toxocara canis; and younger dogs with Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Cystoisospora spp. Giardia spp. were also associated with dogs with a defined breed (p<0.05). All the parasites analyzed presented lower incidence in the last period analyzed than in the previous periods.Keywords: Dogs, helminths, protozoa, São Paulo, Brazil. ResumoA ocorrência de parasitos gastrintestinais foi estudada em amostras fecais de 3099 cães, da região metropolitana de São Paulo, SP, tratados no Hospital Veterinário da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade de São Paulo. As amostras foram analisadas por métodos de flutuação e centrífugo-sedimentação. Os resultados foram comparados com estudos prévios (diferentes períodos). Associação entre as frequências de cada parasito e idade, raça, sexo, ocorrência de diarreia e uso de anti-helmínticos foram analisadas pelo teste do qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher. O qui-quadrado estratificado foi utilizado para comparar a ocorrência de cada parasito e os períodos analisados. Do total 20,5% das amostras eram positivas e 16,1% destas (102/635) apresentaram mais de um gênero de parasitos. Ancylostoma spp. (7,1%) e Giardia spp. (5,5%) foram os mais frequentes helminto e protozoário, respectivamente. Ancylostoma spp. foi associado (p<0,05) com idade (> 1 ano), animais sem raça definida, sexo (macho) e a não utilização de anti-helmínticos. Cães < 1 ano e mestiços apresentaram associação com ocorrência de Toxocara canis e cães jovens com Giardia spp, Cryptosporidium spp. e Cystoisospora spp. Giardia spp. também apresentou associação com cães de raças definidas (p<0,05). Para todos os parasitas analisados a incidência diminuiu no último período analisado quando comparado aos anteriores.

The frequency of gastrointestinal infections in 502 cats seen at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, between 2005 and 2014, was measured. The samples were analyzed using methods of flotation and sedimentation. The results were compared with those from studies published previously using fecal samples from the same hospital at different times. Associations between the frequency of positivity for each parasite and age, breed, sex, diarrhea and use of anthelmintic were investigated (chi-square or Fisher's exact tests). A partitioned chi-square test was used to compare different periods. Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Cystoisospora spp. and Sarcocystis spp. were the most common parasites, followed by Toxocara cati and Ancylostoma spp. Cryptosporidium spp. presented higher frequency in young cats and Sarcocystis spp. with the presence of diarrhea (p < 0.05). Results from this study with previous periods showed that the frequencies of Cryptosporidium spp., Cystoisospora spp. and T. cati were lower (p < 0.05) than those observed in previous periods. The frequencies of Giardia spp. and Ancylostoma spp. were similar to the results found in the preceding period and lower than the values found for the other periods (p < 0.05). The reasons for these changes should be investigated.

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