Canine hookworms represent some of the most globally prevalent parasitic nematodes affecting dogs and pose a significant zoonotic risk to humans, in whom they can induce cutaneous larva migrans. Infection with these parasites may lead to blood loss, anaemia, and, in severe cases, mortality—particularly in young puppies. The present study reports a confirmed case of Ancylostoma caninum infection in a 15-month-old dog in the Slovak Republic. The infected dog presented with severe, persistent diarrhoea, and haematological examination revealed a decrease in erythrocyte and haemoglobin levels, as well as mild eosinophilia. Coprological examination confirmed the presence of nematodes belonging to the family of Ancylostomatidae. Following the initiation of anthelmintic therapy, adult individuals were recovered from the faeces. Based on distinct morphological characteristics, the parasites were presumptively attributed to the species A. caninum. Subsequent molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COX1) and the ribosomal ITS regions definitively confirmed the species A. caninum. Our findings confirm that this is the first molecularly confirmed case of this species in Central Europe. This hookworm is predominantly found in warm and humid climatic regions. Its recent detection in Slovakia, a country characterised by a temperate climate, may suggest a northward expansion of its geographic range, potentially facilitated by ongoing climatic shifts associated with global climate change.

Ixodes ricinus is the most common and, epidemiologically speaking, the most important tick species in Slovakia, transmitting a wide range of zoonotic pathogens. The goal of the present study was to monitor selected tick-borne infectious agents in an urban environment in northern Slovakia where the conditions for their occurrence and survival are typically unfavourable. Ticks were collected by the flagging method during the period from March to November 2024 in the city of Žilina in five urban locations characterized by high human activity and suitable conditions for tick–host interactions. A total of 264 ticks of Ixodes ricinus were collected (67 females, 85 males, and 112 nymphs). A molecular analysis confirmed the presence of Borrelia spp. in 34.5% of samples, while the most frequently detected species was Borrelia afzelii. The other detected species included zoonotic piroplasms Babesia microti and Babesia venatorum (1.5%), as well as the bacteria Anaplasma spp. (2.65%) and Rickettsia spp. (0.4%). In four ticks (1.5%), the presence of coinfection caused by multiple pathogens was detected. These results confirm that urban ecosystems located in the northern regions of Slovakia also provide significant reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens and impose a potential risk for public health.