References

Abdullah S, Helps C, Tasker S, Newbury H, Wall R. Ticks infesting domestic dogs in the UK: a large-scale surveillance programme. Parasit Vectors. 2016; 9:(1) https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-016-1673-4

Agapito D, Aziz NA, Wang T, Morgan ER, Wright I. Subconjunctival Dirofilaria repens infection in a dog resident in the UK. J Small Anim Pract. 2018; 59:(1)50-2 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.12795

Cajimat MNB, Rodriguez SE, Schuster IUE Genomic Characterization of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Hyalomma Tick from Spain, 2014. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2017; 17:(10)714-19 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2017.2190

Due C, Fox W, Medlock JM, Pietzsch M, Logan JG. Tick bite prevention and tick removal. BMJ. 2013; 347 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f7123

Graham-Brown J, Gilmore P, Colella V Three cases of imported eyeworm infection in dogs: a new threat for the United Kingdom. Vet Rec. 2017; 181:(13)346-350 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104378

Hansford KM, Medlock JM, Atkinson B, Santos-Silva MM. Importation of a Hyalomma lusitanicum tick into the UK on a dog. Vet Rec. 2016; 179:(16) https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.i5645

Hansford KM, Pietzsch ME, Cull B, Gillingham EL, Medlock JM. Potential risk posed by the importation of ticks into the UK on animals: records from the Tick Surveillance Scheme. Vet Rec. 2017; 182:(4) https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104263

Medlock JM, Hansford KM, Vaux AGC Distribution of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus in the United Kingdom. Med Vet Entomol. 2017; 31:(3)281-8 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/mve.12235

Mitchell S, Bell S, Wright I Tongue worm (Linguatula species) in stray dogs imported into the UK. Vet Rec. 2016; 179:(10)259-60 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.i4829

Phipps LP, Del Mar Fernandez De Marco M, Hernández-Triana LM Babesia canis detected in dogs and associated ticks from Essex. Vet Rec. 2016; 178:(10)243-4 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.i1265

Stokes L, Wright I. Parasite roundup 2017. Companion Animal. 2018; 23:(1)33-40 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2018.23.1.33

Vigilance urged after Babesia confirmed in untravelled dog. 2017. http://tinyurl.com/ybmth8gg (accessed 5 March 2018)

Wright I. Case report: Dirofilaria repens in a canine castrate incision. Companion Animal. 2017; 22:(6)316-18 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2017.22.6.316

Clinical signs of parasitic disease in imported pets

02 March 2018

Clinical

12 mins read

02 March 2018

Volume 9 · Issue 2

ISSN (print): 2044-0065

ISSN (online): 2052-2959

Abstract

Increased pet travel, importation of pets and the expansion of European parasite distributions is increasing the risk of pets infected with exotic parasites entering the UK. Rapid recognition of clinical signs associated with disease in these pets is vital to improve prognostic outcomes, and limit parasite spread and zoonotic risk. Veterinary nurses play a vital role in early disease recognition during nurse clinics, postoperative checks and other pet interactions in practice. This article considers exotic parasites that have already entered the country and that are likely to be present in travelled pets, and their clinical presentations.

Since the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) was relaxed in 2012, pet travel has increased year on year. This, in combination with expanding European parasite distributions, increases the risk of pets and their owners encountering these agents while abroad, and bringing them back to the UK. In addition, legal and illegal importation of pets are also increasing the likelihood of novel parasites being introduced. Part of this trend has been driven by pets being rescued from abroad and then being rehomed in the UK.

Novel parasites may establish in the UK in a number of different ways:

The rapid identification of parasitic infection and disease in travelled pets forms an essential part of preventing new parasites and vectors establishing in the UK through these routes.

As a result of the ongoing risk that imported parasites represent to individual pets, owners, the wider public and UK biosecurity, The European Scientific Counsel for Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) UK & Ireland recommend four key steps when dealing with imported pets on arrival in the UK. These are the ‘four pillars’:

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting The Veterinary Nurse and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.

Or continue by

Signing in with your registered email address