Dog deworming by smart collar: a 24-month field evaluation from a One Health prospective, randomized, double masked trial

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Background Echinococcosis constitutes a major zoonotic parasitic disease with profound public health and socioeconomic implications. Dog deworming remains a cornerstone intervention endorsed by World Health Organization. This study comparatively assessed automated versus manual praziquantel (PZQ) bait delivery systems for dog echinococcosis control. Methods A prospective, randomized, double-blinded field trial employing a One Health framework was conducted in Tianzhu Zangzu Autonomous County, China—a cystic echinococcosis endemic region. Township-level cluster randomization allocated dogs to smart collar deworming group (SCDG) with monthly automated PZQ delivery and manual deworming group (MDG) with conventional bait administration. Intervention assignment remained masked between groups. Laboratory personnel were blinded during fecal antigen analysis using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) evaluated efficacy via odds ratios ( OR s) over 24 months, SPSS software (version 27.0) was used for data processing. Metrics included parasitological outcomes, deworming frequency, collar deployment and recovery rates. Results From June 2021–July 2023, 1920 dogs (800 from SCDG, 1120 from MDG) were enrolled with owner consent. Among 5119 fecal samples analyzed (2320 from SCDG, 2799 from MDG), 33 were antigen-positive (8 from SCDG, 25 from MDG). Baseline positivity showed no intergroup difference (SCDG:0.8% [6/792] vs MDG:1.2% [13/1099], P = 0.36). At 24 months, SCDG achieved 0% positivity (0/661) while MDG’s was 0.6% (5/789). Smart collars conferred significant protection ( OR = 0.432, 95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 0.194–0.959, P < 0.0001)—equivalent to 56.8% infection risk reduction. At 12 months, the recycling rate and integrity rate of smart collars were 83.3% (666/800) and 74.3% (495/666), respectively; and the proportion of dogs dewormed 6–12 times per year was 86.7% (577/666). At 24 months, the recycling rate and integrity rate of smart collars were up to 93.6% (749/800, χ 2 = 42.106, P < 0.001) and 94.1% (705/749, χ 2 = 107.269, P < 0.001) respectively. During this period, 91.6% (1202/1312) of dogs received deworming 6–12 times per year. In 2023, a total of 647 smart collars were distributed, with the recycling rate and integrity rate of 99.8% (646/647) and 96.4% (623/646), respectively. The proportion of dogs dewormed 6–12 times per year increased to 96.6% (625/646, χ 2 = 34.969, P < 0.001). Conclusions Field deployment of smart collars proves operationally viable, sustainably enhancing deworming frequency while reducing dog infection rates more effectively than manual methods. The 56.8% protective effect advancement mitigates environmental egg contamination, thereby lowering zoonotic transmission risk.

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