The Prevalence of Some Intestinal Parasites in Stray Dogs From Tetova, Fyr Macedonia

Stray dogs are a reservoir of intestinal parasites and a source of infection for pet dog owners. Some parasites, including hookworms and roundworms, are zoonotic parasites. This means they can easily be transmitted from pets to humans. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in stray dogs located in Tetova, FYR Macedonia region between February to April 2017. A total of 60 samples were examined by centrifugation-flotation methods. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites were 0,40%, 0,13%, 0,08%, and 0,01% for Ancylostoma spp., Trichuris vulpis , Toxocara canis and Coccidia respectively. Stray dogs are associated with a high risk of infection. Also, the periodic laboratory tests can confirm this. The information received from this present study may be useful in the designing of control programs. It was also used in educating the dogs’ owners about public health issues of dog keeping, hence reducing the risks associated with zoonotic infections

GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF SHEPERD DOGS FROM TETOVO REGION MACEDONIA

A total of 78 faecal samples from owned shepherd dogs were collected in Tetovo, Macedonia and were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by centrifugation - flotation method that is more sensitive. The overall prevalence of parasitism in the tested samples was 0,71%. The species found and the infective percentage were: Ancylostoma caninum 41%, Trichuris vulpis 39.2% and Toxocara canis 17,8. The parasite Angiostrongylus vasorum was found in only 1 sample. There was not observed any significant difference in prevalence between dogs genders according the species of parasite found. Young animals were found to more frequently shed nematode eggs in faeces than adult animals. The presence of zoonotic species of parasites in dogs in the studied region, associated with the elevated degree of misinformation of the owners, indicates that the risk of zoonotic infection by canine intestinal parasite may be high

Breed Predisposition Differences of Dogs with Urolithiasis in Tirana District

Urolithiasis is a common problem in dogs. Uroliths can occur in any section of the urinary tract, but bladder uroliths are the most common. The differences in breed predispositions of forming different types of uroliths have been identified by different studies. Certain breeds of dogs are genetically predisposed to this condition and to the specific stone type formation. The purpose of this study was to report on the breed differences of 160 canine uroliths submitted to clinics and hospitals in Tirana from July 2013 to January 2017.  From all the dogs taken in study 11 of them resulted positive for the presence of stones. From this study it was observed that Dalmatian breed had the highest number of cases, 3 dogs from 11 positive cases belonged to this breed. The other breeds with urolithiasis condition resulted German shepherd and Mixed dogs with 2 cases each and Miniature schnauizer, Terrier, Shih Tzu and Shetland Sheep dog with 1 cases each. In this article are also discussed some risk factors for the various uroliths formation, some recommendations for treatment and prevention. The monitoring of the dog with this condition predisposition on regular basis may help in early identification, treatment, and prevention of uroliths.Keywords:  Urolithiasis, dogs, ammonium urate and cystine stones

Field efficacy of fluralaner (Bravecto® chewable tablets) for preventing Babesia canis infection transmitted by Dermacentor reticulatus ticks to dogs

Abstract Background The isoxazoline fluralaner is effective for prevention of Babesia canis transmission from infected Dermacentor reticulatus ticks to dogs for 84 days in a controlled environment. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of fluralaner chewable tablets for sustained prevention of B. canis infection of dogs in endemic areas under natural conditions. Methods In Europe, privately owned, clinically healthy pet dogs were enrolled and randomized either to receive fluralaner at 25–56 mg/kg (Bravecto® chewable tablets) on days 0 and 84, or to remain untreated during the D. reticulatus season. Blood samples were collected to evaluate B. canis exposure: on days 0 and 21 (exposure before day 0), during the study and at the end of the tick season (dogs suspected of having become infected after day 0). Efficacy was determined by the percentage reduction in B. canis transmission risk based on the difference in B. canis-positive tests in fluralaner-treated dogs compared with untreated dogs. In addition, ticks collected at monthly intervals throughout the study were identified to species level and females tested for B. canis DNA. Results A total of 152 dogs were enrolled in the study, although nine dogs were excluded because they tested positive for B. canis DNA or antibodies within 21 days after enrollment. During the study period, no fluralaner-treated dog became positive for B. canis, resulting in calculated efficacy of 100%. However, babesiosis infection was diagnosed in five untreated control dogs (Fisher’s exact test, left-sided, P = 0.0312). Tick analyses revealed that one sample collected in Hungary was infected with B. canis. Conclusion Oral administration of Bravecto chewable tablets at the recommended dosage to dogs completely prevented B. canis transmission under field conditions in an endemic area for 12 weeks. Graphical Abstrac

A randomized, blinded, controlled, multi-centered field study assessing the treatment of gastrointestinal nematode infections in cats with fluralaner plus moxidectin spot-on solution (Bravecto® Plus)

Abstract Background A spot-on formulation containing fluralaner (280 mg/ml) plus moxidectin (14 mg/ml) (Bravecto® Plus) was developed for the treatment of nematode infections as well as providing 12 weeks of protection against insect and acarine parasites in cats. The effectiveness and safety of this product against feline gastrointestinal nematodes was assessed in naturally-infested, client-owned cats under field conditions in Albania, Bulgaria, Germany and Hungary. Methods To be eligible for enrollment in this investigator-blinded study cats had to be at least 10 weeks-old, weigh at least 1.2 kg, be clinically healthy, and have a faecal sample testing positive for nematodes no more than eight days prior to treatment. Cats were stratified into blocks of three in order of presentation at each center and randomly allocated in a 2:1 ratio to be treated topically on Day 0 with fluralaner plus moxidectin (minimum dose rates 40 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg, respectively) or emodepside plus praziquantel (minimum dose rates 3 mg/kg and 12 mg/kg, respectively) (Profender®). Faecal samples were collected from cats prior to treatment and 14 ± 4 days later. Results There were 182 cats randomized to the fluralaner plus moxidectin group, and 91 to the emodepside plus praziquantel group. Prior to treatment the most commonly identified nematode egg was Toxocara cati, found in 79.1 and 82.4% of cats in the fluralaner plus moxidectin and emodepside plus praziquantel groups, respectively. Eggs of Toxascaris leonina were found in 8.2 and 6.6% of cats; of hookworms in 30.8 and 24.2%; and of Capillaria spp. in 7.1 and 4.3%, respectively. After treatment, faecal samples from 98.3% of fluralaner plus moxidectin treated and 96.6% of emodepside plus praziquantel-treated cats were free of nematode ova. Geometric mean faecal egg count reductions for T. cati, the only eggs found in post-treatment faecal samples, were 99.97% and 99.93%, respectively. Treatment with fluralaner plus moxidectin was non-inferior to emodepside plus praziquantel. Both products were safe and well tolerated by cats treated under field conditions. Conclusions This field study confirms that, in addition to 12-week extended duration flea and tick control, fluralaner plus moxidectin provides broad spectrum treatment of nematodes in cats