Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
2
Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
3
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
10.22092/ari.2024.365832.3149
Abstract
Dirofilariasis or canine heartworm disease is one of the most dangerous invasive diseases in dogs. Invasion caused by Dirofilaria immitis is the most critical case. Filarial infection has been seen all over the world with different agents including different species of nematodes, but D. immitis is more important than other species in dogs.
In this study, one hundred guard dog collars were used that visited the small animal clinics of Tabriz city in Iran during the period of 3 months (May, June, and July) summer season year 2023 , because blood parasites is more common in dogs in summer. A total of 100 blood samples of guard dogs, regardless of age, sex, and breed, were examined for blood parasites. Of these, 70 were adult dogs, 30 were puppies, 35 were females, and 65 were males. The prevalence of blood parasites in dogs was determined by wet blood smear, centrifuge hematocrit and modified Knott's technique.
The blood parasites found in this study were D. immitis, Dipetalonema reconditum. In this study, out of 100 guard dogs, 9 dogs (9%) were found infected with blood parasites. The prevalence of D. immitis and D. Reconditum recorded in our study was 7% and 2% .Two puppies out of 30 puppies (6.6%) were infected with blood parasites, and in the group of adult dogs, 7 collars out of 70 dog collars (10%) were infected with blood parasites. The highest recorded infection percentage was related to D. immitis and 7 collars (7%) out of 100 cases were positive. The findings showed the highest prevalence of blood parasites in May (10%), followed by June (9.37%) and July (8.33%). The results showed that the incidence of blood parasites in male dogs was higher than in female dogs. Males were infected (9.23%) and females (8.57%).
The results of this study showed that the prevalence of D. immitis and D. Reconditum recorded in guard dogs of Tabriz city in Iran was 7% and 2%. Guard dogs should be kept in a sanitary environment and should be regularly tested for the presence of any blood parasites .
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