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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2017

Cross-sectional survey of health management and prevalence of vector-borne diseases, endoparasites and ectoparasites in Samoan dogs

Carslake, R. J.; Hill, K. E.; Sjolander, K.; Hii, S. F.; Prattley, D.; Acke, E.

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of selected canine vector-borne diseases (Leishmania infantum, Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia canis, Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis) and endo- and ectoparasites in Samoan dogs presenting for surgical sterilisation and to report on the general health management of the dogs.MethodsThis study was a prospective serological cross-sectional survey. Management data were obtained for 242 dogs by interview with their owners. Blood samples were collected from 237 dogs and screened for the canine vector-borne diseases using point-of-care qualitative ELISA assays. Anaplasma spp. positive samples were screened by PCR and sequenced for species identification. Rectal faecal samples were collected from 204 dogs for faecal flotation and immunofluorescent antibody tests were performed for Giardia and Cryptosporidium spp. on a subset of 93 faecal samples. The skin and coat of 221 dogs were examined for presence of ectoparasites.ResultsThe D. immitis antigen was detected in 46.8% (111/237) of dogs. Seroprevalence of Anaplasma spp. was 8.4% (20/237); A. platys was confirmed by PCR. Prevalence of hookworm was 92.6% (185/205) and Giardia was 29.0% (27/93). Ectoparasites were detected on 210/221 (95.0%) of dogs examined and 228/242 dogs (94.2%) had previously never received any preventative medication.ConclusionsThere was a very high prevalence of D. immitis, hookworm and external parasites in Samoan dogs, and prophylactic medication is rarely administered. This is the first report confirming A. platys in Samoa and the South Pacific islands. The public health implications of poor management of the dogs should be considered and investigated further.

Keywords

Anaplasma platys; Dirofilaria immitis; dogs; Giardia; hookworm; Samoa

Published in

Australian Veterinary Journal
2017, Volume: 95, number: 12, pages: 462-468
Publisher: WILEY

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Clinical Science

    Publication Identifiers

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12647

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/100866