Prevalence of intestinal nematodes of dogs and cats in The Netherlands.

Faecal samples from 272 dogs and 236 cats from Dutch households were examined for nematode eggs. Toxocara eggs were found in 8 dogs (2.9%) and 11 cats (4.7%). Toxascaris eggs were found in 1 dog (0.4%) and Trichuris eggs in 2 dogs (0.7%). Examination of faeces from 56 stray cats revealed Toxocara in 12 cases (21%) and Toxascaris eggs in 3 cases (5.4%). No hookworm eggs were found. The percentage of positive samples was significantly higher in young animals than in older animals. Toxocara eggs were found significantly more frequently in stray cats than in cats kept in households.