parasitological studies aimed to check the success of the
treatment of infected dogs and cats, especially in the case
of zoonotic species. According to the European Specialist
Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP), the faecal
egg count reduction test (FECRT) can be used in dogs and
cats to assess the effectiveness of the treatment against
nematode infections and a reduction in faecal egg count
of 90% or more would be expected with most effective
anthelmintics (http://www.esccap.org).
In Italy, few recent studies deal with distribution and
risk factors of canine and feline intestinal and lung parasites
in owned animals (Capelli et al., 2006; Traversa et al., 2010;
Zanzani et al., 2010). Thus, the main aims of the present
investigation were to obtain data on prevalence of intestinal
and lung parasitic infections in owned dogs and cats in
this part of the country and to identify potential risk factors.
Furthermore, the faecal egg count reduction test
(FECRT) was also performed on some nematode infected
animals in order to evaluate the absence/reduction of
nematode eggs after the anthelmintic treatment.