Parasitology

Clinical features of hepatozoonosis in dogs and cats

Hepatozoonosis caused by H. canis is often subclinical or characterized by non-specific clinical signs, i.e. fever, lymphadenopathy, weight loss, anorexia, lethargy and haematobiochemical alterations,...

Pruritus in dogs and cats part 2: allergic causes of pruritus and the allergic patient

In modern general practice, because of regular use of efficient ectoparasiticides, the main cause of ectoparasite-linked pruritus likely to be encountered is a hypersensitivity to flea saliva, as...

Leishmania: case management and UK transmission

The signs associated with Leishmania infection are immune-mediated and in dogs commonly include lymphadenopathy, alopecia, dermatitis, hyperkeratosis, dermal ulcers, anorexia, weight loss,...

Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in public parks in the Midlands

The present study found evidence of soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in the East Midlands region. Results indicated that 74% of the parks were contaminated, with soil prevalence levels of...

Summer parasite update 2022

Increasing numbers of imported rescue cats and dogs have been seen over the past few years with associated risk of exotic pathogens entering the UK. These numbers are also likely to be swelled in 2022...

The environment, flea products and the need for year round flea control

Fleas are a cause of allergic dermatitis and vectors for a variety of infections including Bartonella henselae (cause of cat scratch disease), Rickettsia felis (cause of spotted fever), Haemoplasma...

Parasite roundup for 2021

ESCCAP UK & Ireland continues to advise that all UK cats and dogs be treated at least every 3 months to reduce egg shedding. High risk groups (cats and dogs on raw unprocessed diets, those that hunt...

Use of broad-spectrum parasiticides in canine and feline parasitology

Intestinal helminthes of companion animals are of primary importance in daily clinical practice (Figure 1). The roundworms (ascarids), Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati (Figure 2), infecting dogs and...

Zoonotic parasite protection in the practice setting

Bites and scratches leading to compromise of the skin barrier can in turn, lead to the introduction of bacteria and ringworm. Cat bites and scratches are a particular risk for Bartonella henselae (the...

Nurse parasite clinics and the benefits of routine testing

Coproantigen or faecal flotation can be used as an alternative to routine preventative treatment for intestinal nematodes as long as testing is carried out at least four times a year and the client...

Summer parasite update 2021

This time last year, the key themes were:.