Epidemiology of Uncinaria stenocephala infections in greyhound breeding kennels.

Field observations at breeding kennels in eastern England support the view that perinatal transmission is of minor importance in the epidemiology of Uncinaria stenocephala infections in greyhounds. Patent infections became established soon after weaned pups were put onto gas paddocks. Egg-counts rose to high levels, tending to peak in dogs 25-35 weeks old and to decline thereafter. This pattern was related to the age of the host and was not seasonal. The consequent deposition of large numbers of eggs onto the paddocks at irregular intervals distorted the seasonal fluctuations in herbage larval counts previously found to be a consistent feature of grass paddocks used for exercising adult racing greyhounds.