Parasitology

A new tick-borne bacterium causing ehrlichiosis has been discovered in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

In my opinion, the introduction of in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays for infectious disease screening has been one of the most useful innovations in veterinary medicine. On occasion however it can create a mild "dilemma" for us as clinicians.

RMSF caused by Rickettsia rickettsii is an acute systemic disease of dogs and humans. RMSF is generally seasonal (Apr.-Sept.) correlating with the Dermacentor sp. lifecycle.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria in the genus Leptospira. The taxonomy of genus Leptospira is complex and continuing to evolve. Historically, there were only two recognized species, L. interrogans and L. biflexa, that were further divided into nearly 300 serovars.

Canine babesiosis was first described in South Africa in the late 1800's and was originally presumed to be a "biliary form" of canine distemper. Most researchers assume that this was actually a case of babesiosis caused by Babesia canis rossi.

Fever is defined as a higher than normal body temperature (>102.5) due to altered thermoregulatory mechanisms in the hypothalamus. Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a fever that does not resolve spontaneously and for which no obvious cause is identified. Infectious disease, immune-mediated conditions and neoplasia account for over 75% of FUO cases.

Bartonellosis is an important emerging disease in humans and has been recognized to cause clinical disease in several other species, including dogs and cats. Bartonella henselae is the primary etiologic agent in Cat Scratch Disease, which causes fever and lymphadenopathy in humans.

Dogs with IMHA are usually older than 1 year of age. There does not appear to be a significant gender predisposition. Several breeds have a higher incidence of IMHA, such as cocker spaniels, miniature poodles, old English sheepdogs, and Doberman pinschers. Hereditary erythrocyte disease (PK and PFK deficiency osmotic fragility).

Cytauxzoonosis is a tick-transmitted protozoan disease of cats caused by Cytauxzoon felis that was first reported in Missouri in 1976. Over the next thirty years the disease was only recognized in the southcentral and southeastern United States. Recently the geographic range of the organism has been recognized to extend east and north.

This online on-demand archived Webinar will provide a comprehensive review of developing diagnostic, therapeutic and prevention strategies for emerging tick-borne diseases and will evaluate how to use the latest screening test to manage infection in patients. (1 CE credit)

This online on-demand archived Webinar provides a review of coinfection, with a special focus on Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. (1 CE credit)

Some important infections practitioners should be aware of.

Macon, Ga. -- A U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia ruled that sales of PetArmor Plus by Cipla Ltd. and Velcera Inc. infringed on Merial's patents covering its flea-and-tick product FRONTLINE Plus.

Bel Air, Md. ? The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) unveiled new veterinary data that shows nearly 6 percent of 780,000 fecal samples from pet cats were carrying eggs from feline roundworm, Toxocara cati.

Summer is here when the Companion Animal Parasite Council takes the show on the road in the big RV.

Read this report of the successful treatment of two dogs.

National Report - Only 30 percent of mixed-breed dogs are on monthly flea-and-tick medications, according to a new survey from Mars Veterinary.

Veterinary data from a 2010 survey confirms that heartworm disease was diagnosed in every U.S. state ? and nearly almost every county and parish too.

A recent study examined two treatment options for the tick-borne illness.

Good news regarding the treatment and control of this infection.

Here's your heartworm prevention cheat sheet.

When clients complain that their pets are itchy despite the use of parasite preventives, help them understand the true cause of the symptoms.

Dr. Susan E. Little address the epidemiology and treatment of this tick-borne disease.

One of the scariest tick-borne pathogens is Cytauxzoon felis.

The ability to use anthelmintics to prevent and eliminate parasite infections or disease has been the cornerstone for many parasite control programs. Unfortunately, in many instances, what was a cornerstone has become the whole program.