| Sumario: |
Habitat loss and degradation, restricted ranges, prey exploitation, and poaching are
important factors for the decline of several wild carnivore populations and additional stress from
infectious agents is an increasing concern. Given the rapid growth of human populations in some
regions like Costa Rica, pathogens introduced, sustained, and transmitted by domestic carnivores
may be particularly important. To better understand the significance of domestic carnivore pathogens
for wildlife, we determine the prevalence of infection and possible mechanisms for contact between
the two groups. The demographics, role in the household, and pathogens of pet dogs and cats was
studied during three annual spay/neuter clinics in San Luis, Costa Rica. Most dogs were owned
primarily as pets and guard animals, but ~10% were used for hunting. Cats were owned primarily
as pets and for pest control. Both roamed freely outdoors. We detected high prevalences of some
pathogens (e.g., carnivore protoparvovirus 1 and Toxoplasma gondii). Some pathogens are known
to persist in the environment, which increases the probability of exposure to wild carnivores. This
study demonstrated that domestic pets in San Luis, home to a number of protected and endangered
wildlife species, are infected with pathogens to which these wild species are potentially susceptible.
Additionally, results from our questionnaire support the potential for domestic and wild animal
contact, which may result in disease spillover.
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