An autochthonous case of visceral canine leishmaniasis in Barra do Piraí-RJ

Visceral Leishmaniasis, a disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania chagasi, is a re-emergent anthropozoonosis, considered a major public health problem. In the urban area, the dog (Canis familiaris) is the main source of infection and canine enzootia has preceded the occurrence of human cases, in which infection in dogs has been more prevalent than in humans. In this context, the present study reports the occurrence of an autochthonous case of Visceral Canine Leishmaniasis in Barra do Piraí, RJ. After verification of a clinic compatible with canine visceral leishmaniasis, several diagnostic exams were performed, such as cytological examination of the ear tip and lymph node puncture, rapid immunochromatographic test DPP® (Dual Path Platform), ELISA, RIFI and culture of material obtained from of skin biopsy, lymph node and bone marrow puncture. With the clinical, serological and parasitological confirmation of Leishmania spp. the dog’s owner chose to euthanize this animal and 3 months later, another positive animal residing in the same place. Based on this report, it is necessary to implement the entomological and epidemiological surveillance in the county of Barra do Piraí, in order to detect the presence of the vector and / or canine enzootia prior to the installation of the anthropozoonotic cycle, allowing to adopt actions to control the disease and the occurrence of the disease in humans

Efficacy of fluralaner against canine generalized demodicosis

Demodicosis is a parasitic dermatopathy, resulting from the excessive proliferation of Demodex mites. The rate at which this disease is encountered in the pet clinic is high, despite recent advances in the treatment of the disease. The aim of this study, which was conducted in Brazil, was to analyze the efficacy of fluralaner in the treatment of demodicosis in dogs. Fifteen dogs with generalized demodicosis that were diagnosed with Demodex sp. mites from skin scraping were included. All animals were treated with fluralaner at a dose of 25 mg/kg, following the manufacturer’s recommendations for the treatment of ectoparasites. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated based on clinical improvement of the animals and the time required to obtain two consecutive negative skin scrapes 30 days apart (parasitological cure). The main clinical signs observed were alopecia (100%; 15/15); erythema (86.7%; 10/15); and hypotrichosis, papule, crusts, hyperpigmentation, and hyperkeratosis (26.7%; 4/15). Of the 15 animals evaluated, two of them were excluded for not returning for the second evaluation in 60 days, although they had the first negative skin scrape. After 30 days, six (46.2%) from 13 animals that concluded the study presented the first negative skin scraping. At the end of the study, all dogs presented parasitological cure and clinical improvement, except for three animals. One for developing atopic dermatitis and two that lived in an animal shelter. In conclusion, a single oral dose of fluralaner is effective in the treatment of generalized demodicosis in dogs