CVS Parasites Flashcards
What are the three important CVS parasites to get through this stupid exam?
Babesia, Leishmania, Dirofilaria.
What is babesia? Why is it significant?
Blood-bourne tick transmitted protozoa. It is a constraint on using european breeds in places with ticks that spread it.
What is the lifecycle of Babesia?
Infected tick infects cows, multiples in RBC, haemolytic anaemia, tick feeds and is infected, sexual/asex multiplication in tick.
What are the two kinds of Babesia species? How can you recognise them?
Small babesia species are always at the periphery of RBC e.g. B. divergens = Pathogenic. Large babesia species are bigger, and are non-pathogenic e.g. B. major.
How common is Babesia in the UK? What transmits it?
Ixodes ricinus transmits B. divergens. It is sporadic and occurs in tick seasons.
What is the cause of Canine Babesiosis? Why is the tick used?
Dermacentor ticks spread B. canis canis.
What are Leishmania spp? How is it spread?
Leishmania spp are intracellular macrophage parasites. They are transmitted by sandflies (Phlebotomus spp, Lutzomyia spp.)
What is the lifecycle of Leishmania?
Fly innoculates during feeding, invade macrophage, forms Amastigote, ingested by fly, transforms and multiples in fly.
What two types of Leishmaniosis are there?
Cutaneous e.g. ulceration or Viscerall e.g. chronic wasting and generalised hair loss.
How can you control Leishmaniosis?
Vaccine (Canileish), Prevent sand fly biting, Destroy stray dogs.
What is the important Dirofilaria species? What are the clinical signs?
Canine heartworm. Dirofilaria immitus, causes excercise intolerance, chronic heart failure and acute collapse.
What is the lifecycle of Dirofilaria immitus?
Adult in RV, Microfilariae in circulation, spread to mosquito, develop in mosquito, inocculated as L3, Larvae migrate via lungs and moult.
Why do you have to be careful when treating D. immitus?
Risk of dead worms causing thromboembolism leading to resp failure. When you used an adulticidal you have to hospitalise.
What possible drugs can you use to treat D. immitus?
Ivermectin, Selamectin, Milbemycin.
Outline a normal therapy protocol for D. immitus
Adulticide, 4-6 weeks restricted excercise. Microfilaricide 3 weeks later. Initiation of monthly treatments.
