Rabies in small animals and Leishmaniasis Flashcards
What is the world-wide importance of rabies?
Rabies is a significant zoonotic disease that poses risks to both animals and humans, necessitating effective prevention strategies.
What are the 3 requirements to legally bring in a pet cat, dog or ferret to the UK
- Microchip
- Pet passport/third country official veterinarian certificate
- Vaccinated against rabies and evidence of blood test if from unlisted country
What major change regarding pet importation occurred in the last decade?
Significant numbers of dogs are now being imported into the UK due to the Pet Travel Scheme.
What are the 2 forms of rabies
Encephalitic (furious) vs paralytic (dumb) forms,
Distinction not always clear
Both progress towards paralysis, coma, circulatory insufficiency and death).
Pathogenesis of rabies
- Replication at bite wound
- Entry to sensory nerve
- Entry to spinal cord
- Replication in brain
- Passage in cranial nerve to salivary gland
What are the clinical signs of rabies in animals?
Signs include:
* Encephalitic (furious) form
* Paralytic (dumb) form
* Behavioral changes
* Drooling of saliva
* Paralysis
* Coma
* Death
What are some differential diagnoses for rabies?
Differential diagnoses include:
* Space occupying brain diseases
* Metabolic diseases
* Toxicity
* Inflammatory brain diseases
* Degenerative CNS disorders
* Neuromuscular disease
What is the most likely route for rabies to enter the UK?
Smuggling of animals, particularly dogs.
What is the clinical approach if rabies is suspected in an animal?
Contact local divisional veterinary office or police, keep the animal in a cage, and do not handle or euthanize the animal. Consultants in Communicable Disease Control will follow up
What to do if suspected rabies bite
Wash wound immediately
20% soap solution
45% ethanol
Irrigate puncture wounds
Seek medical help- vaccination + local Ig + systemic Ig
True or False: Rabies is commonly seen in cats.
False
What preventive measures are effective against rabies?
Vaccination is highly effective and is part of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS).
What is the role of bats in rabies transmission?
Bats can carry the European bat lyssavirus, which is related to rabies and can pose a risk to humans.
What is Leishmaniasis and where is it commonly found?
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by Leishmania infantum, commonly found in Spain, Portugal, South France, and Italy.
What are the clinical signs of Leishmaniasis?
CHRONIC, WAXING and WANING, DISEASE
Signs include:
* Weight loss
* Pyrexia
* Lymphadenopathy
* Pale mucous membranes
* Dermatological signs
What is the primary vector for Leishmaniasis transmission?
Sandflies
Is direct transmission of leishmania possible
Direct transmission is possible- Dog to dog and dog to human
What are the laboratory findings associated with Leishmaniasis?
Findings include:
* Hyperglobulinaemia
* Hypoalbuminaemia
* Anaemia
* Increased liver enzymes
* Thrombocytopenia
* Positive immune mediated tests- Coombs
Fill in the blank: The vaccination for Leishmaniasis called _______ is administered every three weeks for three doses.
CaniLeish
What treatments are available for Leishmaniasis?
Treatments include:
* Pentavalent antimonials
* Allopurinol
* Miltefosine
Leishmania Dx
Direct identification- Lymph node + bone marrow aspirates
Serology
- SNAP test / ELISA
- Exposure vs disease
PCR
