The authors analyzed the available literature data and statistics, and results can be found for leishmaniasis in Armenia. Between June 2019 and December 2021, 375 different breeds were deployed. 135 animals were subjected to a comprehensive study with laboratory diagnostics of blood serum for the detection of Leishmania infantum antigen. In 68 dogs, antigens were detected using the VetExpert Leishmania Ab immunochromatographic instrumentless test system. In the publication of the authors Yerevan and other cities of the republic. In the studies in animals affected by leishmaniasis, the cutaneous form of leishmaniasis (CL) prevailed, which was recorded in 85.3% of cases, and the visceral form of leishmaniasis (VL) was recorded in 14.7% of cases. Sexual and breed predisposition of the studied dogs to the disease with leishmaniasis was not found by the authors. The visceral form of leishmaniasis (VL) in the studies was recorded in dogs over the age of 4 years. The authors believe that in the near future it is necessary to conduct epidemiological, epizootological and entomological studies to continuously monitor the situation of leishmaniasis in the Republic of Armenia.

The purpose of the research is to determine the main clinical signs of dirofilariosis in dogs, taking into account the peculiarities of animal exploitation and to analyze the efficacy and convenience of using some diagnostic techniques. Materials and methods. The main clinical signs of dirofilariosis in dogs on the farms of Armenia have been studied. The presence of microfilariae was determined in native smears and using a modified Knott method. We also used the Asan Easy Test Heartworm and SNAP 4Dx Plus Test one-step cassette rapid tests for visual detection of Dirofilaria spp. antigen in blood serum. Results and discussion. 8.5% of dogs in the farms of the Republic of Armenia are infected with Dirofilaria sp. The most infected were dogs aged 5–8 years (75%). The main symptomatic signs of dirofilariosis in dogs were established in the specific conditions of the studied region and the specifics of the specific exploitation of animals. It has been established that the immunochromatographic test systems Asan Easy Test Heartworm and SNAP 4Dx Plus Test for visual detection of canine Dirofilaria spp. antigen in blood serum are the most effective for the diagnosis of dirofilariosis.

The article addresses the results of a study of blood morphology parameters in healthy dogs vs. dogs diagnosed with dirofilariasis. In the group of infected animals, the most significant difference was 4.9 higher granulocytes. Another significant contribution is eosinophils and, to a lesser extent, neutrophils and monocytes. In blood of infected and healthy animals, no difference was found in terms of the count of red blood cells, haemoglobin, and haematocrit. Anisocytosis value in red blood cells is probably related to the compensated processes, and differs insignificantly between healthy and infected animal groups. Blood morphology of infected animals is characterized by mild reticulocytosis, not exceeding 20% of physiological norm. In the group of infected dogs, platelet count corresponds to the lower boundary of physiological norm. In healthy animals’ group, platelets and platelet crit is physiologically normal. Leukopenia, lymphocytopenia are detected. Apparently, the reason behind the findings is age of the animals and degree of their adaptation to the progress of the invasive process.

The purpose of the research is to study the possibility of using the temperature DDU (dirofilaria development units) model for predicting the spread of dirofilariosis in dogs in various regions of the Republic of Armenia.Materials and methods. To obtain temperature models of dirofilariosis in various regions of Armenia, the method of mathematical modeling was applied. The method for determining the number of generations of Dirofilaria spp. infection is based on the effect of the average daily air temperature on the rate of development of Dirofilaria larvae in mosquitoes with a threshold of 14 °C. For a negative value of DDU, the value is set to zero. At temperatures above the threshold, DDU accumulate. For the development of larvae to the infective stage, an amount of 130 DDU is required. The number of possible generations of one generation of larvae L3 was calculated by dividing the annual sum of temperatures above 14 °C by 130 DDU, taking into account that 130 DDU should accumulate within a period not exceeding 30 days. The calculation uses daily data on the average daily air temperature in the period from 2017 to 2019 for Shirak, Aragatston, Armavir and Ararat regions of Armenia.Results and discussion. Temperature modeling of DDU is not of high significance, since it takes into account only the average daily air temperature and does not take into account other factors affecting the incidence rates. The largest number of generations of larvae in mosquitoes could be realized in the Armavir and Ararat regions – on average, 16 generations per year. At the same time, the infection of dogs with dirofilariae in the Armavir region was 42.8%, and in the Ararat region – 29.6%. In Aragatston region, on average, 14–15 generations are developing per year. Dirofilariosis was not detected in the studied dogs. In the Shirak region, on average, 7–8 generations are developing per year. Dirofilariae infection was detected in 3.6% of the dogs studied. Based on the temperature DDU-model of dirofilariosis (on the dates of the end of the first and last incubation of dirofilariosis larvae in mosquitoes for several years), as well as the results of phenological observations, we have developed schemes for effective prevention of dirofilariosis. In order to organize and conduct veterinary preventive measures to prevent infestation of dogs by dirofilariae, it is necessary to organize two lines of defense. The first line of defense: the use of anthelmintics from the group of macrocyclic lactones in Aragatston, Armavir and Ararat regions, which is carried out monthly, and in the Shirak region - from April to January. The second line of defense is repellant treatment of dogs in the Aragatston, Armavir and Ararat regions from March to November, and in the Shirak region from April to October. The practical application of temperature DDU-models of dirofilariosis allows specialists of veterinary and sanitary services to establish the timing of the epizootic season of dirofilariosis, as well as organize and conduct veterinary preventive and therapeutic measures among the population of dogs in endemically disadvantaged areas of the republic.

Особенности регулирования порядка работы ветеринарных специалистов при выявлении лейшманиоза у собак в Республике Армения РЕЗЮМЕ Актуальность. Армения является страной, эндемичной по многим инвазионным заболеваниям плотоядных, включая висцеральный лейшманиоз и кожный лейшманиоз. В условиях Армении основным источником инвазии являются собаки. Особенностью правового регулирования порядка организации работы ветеринарных специалистов при выявлении лейшманиоза у собак в Армении является наличие императивных средств и методов, предусмотренных как нормами международных договоров, так и национального законодательства Республики Армения. В последнее время увеличились случаи лейшманиоза у собак, связанные с развитием туризма, миграцией населения, снижением уровня жизни в эндемических очагах, отсутствием настороженности медицинских и ветеринарных специалистов, а также сложностями при проведении дифференциальной диагностики заболевания.Методы. В качестве основных нормативно-правовых актов, содержащих требования по обращению с больными лейшманиозом собаками, рассмотрены нормативно-правовые документы Комиссии таможенного союза, федеральные законы Российской Федерации, Приказы Министерства сельского хозяйства Российской Федерации, а также нормативно-правовые документы Республики Армения.Результаты. При выявлении лейшманиоза у собак в Республике Армения нормативно-правовое регулирование организации работы ветеринарных специалистов исключает возможность перемещения больных лейшманиозом собак через границы таможенного союза вплоть до усыпления инвазированных животных. Со стороны законодательства России, важнейшей профилактической мерой является признание факта опасности лейшманиоза животных и законодательное закрепление ветеринарного контроля за распространением данной инвазии в отношении животных, прибывающих в Россию из стран с неблагополучной по лейшманиозу ситуацией.