Parasitology

Figure 5. Thelazia callipaeda (arrow) under the eye lid of an infected dog.

Pet travellers' unwanted companions: a parasitic voyage across Europe

Leishmania infantum is a protozoan parasite transmitted in Europe by sand flies of the genus Phlebotomus, causing canine leishmaniosis. Infection in dogs can remain subclinical, or develop into a...

Is it time to re-evaluate anti-parasitic use in companion animals?

Parasites for which prophylactic and/or therapeutic drug use is common range across the spectrum of protozoa, helminths and arthropods. A non-exhaustive summary of common parasites, their geographic...

Figure 1. Adult Echinococcus multilocularis superimposed on a Canadian dime.

Updates on Emerging and Evolving Gastrointestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats

This case concerns a young female entire Border Collie who initially presented for reduced appetite and weight loss, and shortly thereafter developed bloody diarrhoea. Clinical history revealed that...

Figure 1. Cutaneous skin lesions associated with Leishmania. Image courtesy of Pedro Serra, Nationwide Labs.

Parasite roundup for 2023

Increasing numbers of imported rescue cats and dogs have been seen over the past few years, with an associated risk of exotic pathogens entering the UK. The European Scientific Counsel for Companion...

Parasites in cats and dogs

Internal parasites live inside the animal's body, in different locations including the small intestine, the lung, the heart, the subcutaneous tissue or even inside the eye. The majority of internal...

Figure 4. A koi with melanisation occurring along the dorsal midline and extremities of the dorsal fin.

A novel approach using vinegar to eradicate recalcitrant skin flukes in koi fish: a case report

Unlike gill flukes (Dactylogyrus), which are oviparous, skin flukes are viviparous trematodes. Eradication of skin flukes is often achievable using a single dose of treatment, as they lack a...

Figure 1. Diagram illustrating the complex life cycle of Himasthla spp. It shows how the life cycle involves several sequential larval stages and three hosts. In the first one is where the colonies of soldier (smaller) and reproductive (larger) rediae dwell (Hechinger et al, 2010).

Insights about the biology of trematodes within their gastropod hosts

Figure 1. Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) microfilaria..

Parasite roundup for 2022

Numbers of imported rescue cats and dogs have increased over the past few years with the associated risk of exotic pathogens entering the UK. These numbers have been added to in 2022 by Ukrainian pets...

Figure 2. Leishmania promastigotes, courtesy of Virbac.

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,...

Figure 1. Cutaneous skin lesions associated with leishmaniosis in a dog. Photo courtesy of Pedro Serra, Nationwide labs.

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...

Figure 1. Roundworms of Toxocara spp.

UK parasite risk factors and control challenges

A variety of exotic parasites and their vectors have been diagnosed in travelled UK cats and dogs recently. Of note are the aforementioned ticks and tick-borne diseases, the protozoa Leishmania...

Figure 2. Nasal mite.

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...