SA Parasitology Flashcards
what is ancylostoma caninum (hookworm) larval leak?
a. larvae vomiting
b. larvae urine
c. larvae moving from muscle to SI
d. larvae migrating to CNS
c. larvae moving from muscle to SI
called “leak” because originally it was thought that the larvae only migrate to the mammary glands. so when it was discovered that they were migrating to the small intestine, this coined the term “leak”.
T/F: Adult dogs need to be test and dewormed just as often as young dogs do.
false – young more than adult
what is the best test for GI parasites in dogs?
there is no one “best” test. They all have advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the antigen test is highly sensitive, but has false positives. The centrifugal fecal float is highly specific, but false negatives occur.
Why do we do annual fecal exams on dogs and cats if they are on year-round prevention and/or do not go outside?
- owner compliance is NOT always good
- no drug is effective against everything
- if continuining exposure, may see eggs even if on prevention
- drug resistance
A client forgot to bring a fecal sample along with them. You use a fecal loop and get a small amount of feces (0.15 grams). Should you do in-house passive fecal float?
no – you need to do centrifugal fecal float. Ideally, the sample needs to be at least 3 grams. fecal loops do not provide enough feces for this test.
Why should we do combo antigen and fecal flotation?
it increases sensitivity
antigen can be detect within 20d post-infection, and float can detect within 60d post-infection
T/F: IDEXX recommends only antigen test for asymptomatic adult dogs and cats
true
Describe the new (2022) Antech KeyScreen GI parasite test.
it is a PCR screening
only requires 0.15 grams of feces
get results back next-day
screens for 20 parasites!!! and can identify A. caninum resistance in hookworms and determines the zoonotic potential of giardia.
What is the most common GI parasite?
hookworms
Which 2 parasites are more common in young dogs (<6 months)?
giardia
cystoisospora
How often should younger animals have fecal exams?
every visit until 1 year (4x/year)
T/F: young animals require frequent fecal exams within the first year of life, but annual fecal exams are fine for adult animals.
true
unless not on monthly treatment or if exposed!
Why do we test dogs for heartworm even though they are on year-round prevention?
- owner compliance = poor
- errors in administration
- macrocyclic lactone resistant heartworms
How often do dogs (>7 months) needs to be screened for heartworm according to the american heartworm society?
what type of test(s) should be used?
annually
this should be both antigen and microfilaria tests.
if a dog has an increased possibility of having heartworm (symptomatic, previous prevention hx unknown, not on year-round prevention, etc.), which test has the highest sensitivity for determining heartworm status?
MF test (knotts test)
