Pet Travel Diseases

Question 1

Outline the importance of Echinococcus multilocularis

Answer 1

Zoonotic infection occurs through the ingestion of eggs passed in the faeces of dogs and foxes.
Results in local and metastatic spread of cysts leading to liver failure and potential multiple organ complications. Despite significant advances in treatment over the past two decades, infected individuals can still expect a significant reduction in life expectancy.
Currently, only the UK, Norway, Ireland, Malta, Finland and Iceland have endemic‐free status in Europe.
Prevented by praziquantel (why we have to give drontal)
The prepatent period is at least 30 days, so clients should be advised to treat dogs monthly while visiting endemic countries to prevent egg shedding that would put them at immediate risk.
The half‐life of praziquantel is approximately 12 hours, so infection may occur in the five‐day window between compulsory treatment and entry into the UK. Therefore, all returning dogs should receive an additional praziquantel treatment within 30 days of entry into the UK.

Question 2

How can you aim to prevent leishmania?

Answer 2

Sandfly protection
Sandlfies most common at dawn and dusk so remain inside at these times
vaccine - do serological testing first
use insecticides with ‘knock‐down’ capabilities (ie, fly repellency) on their pets to reduce fly bites. Licensed products containing pyrethroids are available in the UK for use in dogs (Advantix, Scalibor Protectorband 4 per cent, Vectra 3D Spot‐on Solution for Dogs). Although not licensed, a Seresto collar (Bayer) provides useful fly‐repellent efficacy in cats. Treatment should be applied one week before travel, as pyrethroids take time to reach full distribution and activity. Although Scalibor is the longest lasting of the licensed products for fly knock down, its efficacy and duration of action is affected by prolonged or frequent swimming and so is not suitable for dogs engaging in these activities.

Question 3

Outline hepatozoonosis

Answer 3

Lethargy, pyrexia, anorexia, muscle wasting, multicentric lymphadenopathy and anaemia
Tick borne
Southern Europe

Question 4

Outline canine babesiosis

Answer 4

Severe, potentially life‐threatening anaemia
Tick borne
Mostly europe, some found in essex

Question 5

Outline canine monocytic erlichiosis

Answer 5

Acute infection: pyrexia, anorexia, lymphadenopathy Chronic infection: leukopenia and thromboctopenia, with associated bleeding disorders
Tick born
Mostly southern europe

Question 6

What is tickborne encephalitis

Answer 6

Arborvirus
Found in most of europe
Neurological signs, potentially life‐threatening meningoencephalitis Zoonotic