Uncollected Dog Feces, Parasites of Potential Zoonotic Relevance, and Urban Environmental Health in a Tropical City

Uncollected dog feces can affect the environmental quality of urban public spaces and contribute to the circulation of parasites of potential zoonotic relevance. This study evaluated canine fecal contamination in Villavicencio, Colombia, combining environmental sampling with information on responsible pet ownership. A total of 168 fecal samples were collected from streets and parks and analyzed by direct microscopy and Sheather flotation. In parallel, an independent survey of 100 dog owners was conducted to characterize veterinary care, deworming practices, dog ownership, and use of public parks at the community level. Parasites were detected in 64 samples (38.1%), with Ancylostoma-like eggs being the most frequent taxon (40/168; 23.8%). Co-occurrence of two parasite taxa was detected in 12.5% of the samples. Preventive practices varied among owners: 53% reported internal deworming every 2–6 months, 40% reported veterinary consultations at the same interval, and 85% indicated that their dogs used parks for walking and defecation. The detection of parasitic forms in uncollected feces documents environmental contamination in public spaces, while the owner survey provides community-level context on preventive and responsible-ownership practices. Together, these independent components support preventive measures related to fecal-waste management, veterinary care, environmental surveillance, and responsible pet ownership.