Imported Infectious Diseases Flashcards
What do all pets need before entry into the UK?
Pet passport
Microchipping (before or at same time as rabies vaccination)
Vaccination against rabies (min. age 12 weeks)
Must travel using approved transport company, on an authorised route
What are the rabies requirements for UK entry?
Travel from EU or listed country = rabies vaccination, wait 21 days, entry allowed
Travel from non-listed country = rabies vaccination, >30 days blood sample to check rabies Ab levels, wait 3 months, entry allowed
What are the tapeworm requirements for UK entry?
Dogs - treatment 1-5 days before returning to UK, administered by vet, no requirement from some countries
Praziquantel or other drug with proven efficacy
How do we manage ticks on pets?
Daily check and remove Long-acting collars Flumethrin/imidacloprid Long-lasting oral tablets (1-3 months) Spot-on products
How do we manage flies/mosquitoes around pets?
House indoors during dawn/dusk
Fine mesh screens
Insect repellents
Describe infection with Leishmania infantum.
Intracellular protozoan parasite Vector-borne (sandflies) Rarely seen in untravelled dogs Long incubation period (years) Zoonotic potential
What clinical findings do we see with Leishmania infection?
Dermatological lesions
Enlarged lymph nodes and spleen
Secondary complications (kidney/joint/eye disease, any organ)
Lethargy, inappetence, pyrexia
How do we diagnose Leishmania?
Cytology (/histopathology)
PCR
Serology (indicates exposure/prior vaccination)
How do we treat Leishmania?
First month = daily meglumine antimonate (subcut injections) or miltefosine (oral liquid)
Allopurinol (daily tablets) for 6-12 months
Manage complications e.g. kidney disease
Regular monitoring
Rarely eliminate organism, but aim for clinical improvement
How do we prevent Leishmania?
Do not travel!
Vector (sandfly) control
Leisguard
Vaccination (does not prevent disease, ideally not in previously exposed/infected dogs)
What are the 3 species of tick-borne disease?
Babesia spp.
Ehrlichia spp.
Anaplasma spp.
Describe Anaplasma/Ehrlichia infection.
Tick-borne intracellular bacteria (neutrophils, platelets, monocytes)
Dogs > cats
Global/patchy distribution
What are the clinical signs on Anaplasma/Ehrlichia infection?
Asymptomatic carriage / severe clinical disease
Thrombocytopenia
Ehrlichia can also cause pancytopenia, severe multisystemic disease
How can we diagnose Anaplasma/Ehrlichia infection?
Cytology
PCR
Serology
Snap 4DX (Anaplasma Ab, Ehrlichia Ab, Borrelia Ab, Dirofilaria Ag)
What is the treatment for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia infection?
Doxycycline (2-4 weeks)
Tick control
Describe Babesia infection.
Intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite
Large and small species
Tick-borne +/- iatrogenic (transfusions), dog fighting
Global distribution
What are the clinical features of Babesia infection?
Dogs >> cats Haemolytic anaemia +/- pigmenturia +/- jaundice Thrombocytopenia (very common) Splenomegaly Multiorgan failure and death
How can we diagnose Babesiosis?
Cytology - blood smear assessment (poor sensitivity)
PCR
Serology (IFA)
How do we treat and prevent Babesiosis?
Drug of choice depends on Babesia subspecies
+/- supportive management e.g. blood transfusions
Prevention = tick control
Describe Dirofilaria immitis infection.
Heartworm!
Dogs»_space;> cats
L5 in pulmonary arterial system = right-sided heart failure
What are the clinical features of Dirofilariasis?
Asymptomatic carriage
Exercise intolerance
Coughing, tachypnoea/dyspnoea, lethargy
How do we diagnose Dirofilariasis?
Microfilarial (L1) detection - blood smears etc.
In-clinic point-of-care ELISA (adult female Ag)
Imaging - chest X-rays, echocardiography
Snap 4DX (Anaplasma Ab, Ehrlichia Ab, Borrelia Ab, Dirofilaria Ag)
How do we treat Dirofilariasis?
By a specialist veterinary cardiologist
Drugs to kill adult worms (L5) and microfilariae (L1)
+/- surgical retrieval
High risk of thromboembolic events/death
How do we prevent Dilofilariasis?
In endemic countries, monthly prevention (arrests L3/L4 development) - start 1 month before travel
Vector (mosquito) management
