Parasites (pharmacology)

Question 1

Ectoparasites

Answer 1

are parasites that live on a host

Question 2

Endoparasites

Answer 2

are parasites that live in a host

Question 3

anthelmintic

Answer 3

A drug used to eliminate helminth (intestinal worm) parasites
Examples include ivermectin and pyrantel

Question 4

vermicides

Answer 4

Paralyzes the worm so the GI tract can expel it.

Question 5

roundworms

Answer 5

Nematodes and ascarids

Question 6

Benzimidazoles

Answer 6

A common anthelmintic class
-generic drugs end with the -dazole suffix
Has minimal side effects and is used to treat a variety of parasites in both large and small animals.
When using in food-producing animals, always pay attention to the appropriate withdrawal period.

Question 7

avermectins

Answer 7

anthelmintic and insecticidal properties

Question 8

Ivermectin

Answer 8

Is effective as a monthly heartworm preventative in both dogs and cats.
*Treat endoparasites as well as ectoparasites
*Can be used in some exotics
*Collies and other herding breeds may experience seizures when exposed to overly high amounts of ivermectin due to MDR1 gene
*it’s typically dosed in micrograms- be careful to dose correctly .

Question 9

MDMR1 gene

Answer 9

Multidrug Resistance Genes
Many drugs cause reactions in MDR1 dogs including Imodium, ivermectin, some anesthetics.
Common in herding breeds
Approximately 70% of collies have a defective MDR1 gene

Question 10

Piperazine

Answer 10

is the active ingredient in a large number of over-the-counter dewormers sold at pet stores. It doesn’t kill worms but paralyzes them (vermifuge) so they are expelled from the body.

Question 11

Anticestodal drugs

Answer 11

*Used to treat tapeworms.
*Pets can get infected with tapeworm by eating improperly cooked meat or by swallowing a flea that harbors the parasite.

bonus - an example is praziquantel

Question 12

Antitrematodal drugs

Answer 12

Used to remove flukes from cattle, dogs, and cats.
Some flukes affect the liver and can cause significant damage.
Don’t use in nursing cattle

Question 13

Antiprotozoal drugs

Answer 13

are used to treat protozoa such as coccidia, giardia, and Babesia
many of the these drugs contain sulfa
–sulfa drugs can cause KCS (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca)

Question 14

Heartworm disease

Answer 14

*Primarily affects dogs but also affects cats and ferrets.
*Heartworms damage the heart, lungs, and blood vessels in the lungs
*Mosquitoes bite an infected hosts and consume microfilaria (thin early stage of a parasite) and then spread it to the next animal they bite
—-after the microfilaria resides in the mosquito for 14 days). it takes six or seven months after the bite for a dog to develop heartwarm
* the heartworm itself has a bacterial parasite that contributes to the symptoms

Question 15

giardia

Answer 15

A protozoa causes the diarrheal disease
Resistance to drugs is becoming more common.
If repeated fecals indicate giardia, try another drug or correct the environment.
A vaccine for giardia is available for dogs.

Question 16

Coccidia

Answer 16

Protozoa
most infections in dogs are not associated with any detectable clinical signs
most common clinical sign of coccidiosis is diarrhea,
can be treated with a variety of drugs, but won’t be controlled unless the environment that fosters it is cleaned up.

Question 17

Babesia

Answer 17

is a protozoal parasite transmitted by ticks.

Question 18

signs of Heartworm disease

Answer 18

include coughing, difficulty breathing, and abnormal heart and lung sound in dogs.
Signs in cats are more variable and can include vomiting, coughing, and wheezing.

Question 19

Heartworm prevention

Answer 19

There are daily or monthly options
In general, puppies should be started on preventatives at six to eight weeks of age.
Periodic testing, every one or two years, is recommended with a monthly preventative.

Question 20

Fleas

Answer 20

a combination of treating the environment and the pet is the best method for controlling ectoparasites
Note- Shampoos and dips don’t stay active for long periods of time and need to be repeated often in order to continue to be effective.

Question 21

Pyrethrins

Answer 21

An insecticide
are generally safe for most mammals.
They can quickly kill parasites but aren’t active over longer periods of time.

Question 22

Carbamates. Edit

Answer 22

Insecticide
act as cholinesterase inhibitors and shouldn’t be used with other cholinesterase inhibitors.

Question 23

Formamidines,

Answer 23

Are used to treat demodectic mange in dogs.

Question 24

The SLUDGE syndrome

Answer 24

excessive salivation, lacrimation [tear production], urination, defecation, GI distress, Emesis (vomiting)
caused by an excess of acetylcholine

Question 25

Insect-growth regulators

Answer 25

IGR
can be added to sprays to help stop the development of fleas into mature forms.

Question 26

Do not use the dog product which contains

Answer 26

permethrin (i.e., Vectra 3D) on cats or on dogs that live in the same household as a cat.

Question 27

Parasites

Answer 27

are organisms that live off a host by deriving nutrients and home from their host.

Question 28

Parasitiasis

Answer 28

– animal is infected but no clinical signs are observed

Question 29

parasitosis-

Answer 29

animal is infected but clinical signs are showing

Question 30

Fungal infections

Answer 30

are divided into superficial (skin and eyes) and systemic (blood,lungs, CNS)