Parasites and vector-borne diseases disseminated by rehomed dogs

Abstract

The Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum is a working group of leading international experts who meet annually to evaluate current scientific findings and future trends concerning the distribution, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and prevention of vector-borne infections of dogs and cats. At the 14th Symposium of the CVBD World Forum in Trieste, Italy (March 25–28, 2019), we identified the need to (i) bring attention to the potential spread of parasites and vectors with relocated dogs, and (ii) provide advice to the veterinary profession regarding the importance of surveillance and treatment for parasites and vector-borne infections when rehoming dogs. This letter shares a consensus statement from the CVBD World Forum as well as a summary of the problem faced, including the role of veterinary professionals in parasite surveillance, causal issues, and the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in addressing the problem. To limit opportunities for dissemination of parasites and vectors, whenever possible, underlying problems creating the need for dog rehoming should be addressed. However, when it is necessary to rehome dogs, this should ideally take place in the country and national region of origin. When geographically distant relocation occurs, veterinary professionals have a vital role to play in public education, vigilance for detection of exotic vectors and infections, and alerting the medical community to the risk(s) for pathogen spread. With appropriate veterinary intervention, dog welfare needs can be met without inadvertently allowing global spread of parasites and their vectors.

Potential Role of Hepatozoon canis in a Fatal Systemic Disease in a Puppy

“…The relocation of dogs is one main driver fostering the emergence of vector-borne diseases, including hepatozoonosis, in previously free areas [ 17 , 29 , 30 ]. Accordingly, the dog of the present report was adopted from southern Italy, i.e., an endemic area for H. canis [ 5 , 28 , 31 ], and moved to an area of Northern Italy where this protozoan had never been described thus far.…”

Dirofilaria spp. and Angiostrongylus vasorum: Current Risk of Spreading in Central and Northern Europe

“…In the past few decades, arthropod-borne and gastropod-borne pet diseases have changed their distribution. A series of drivers, including wildlife-habitat reduction, urbanization, climatic changes, increased movements of pets traveling with their owners, and animal rehoming, have favored the geographical spread of specific arthropod-borne and gastropod-borne diseases within endemic areas, and their emergence in previously free areas [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. In Europe, this has led to the modification of the epizootiological picture of diseases with key relevance in veterinary medicine, e.g., of cardiopulmonary and subcutaneous dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens, respectively, and of canine angiostrongylosis due to Angiostrongylus vasorum, which have expanded their geographical distribution [4,[8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

Exposure to Major Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs Subjected to Different Preventative Regimens in Endemic Areas of Italy

“…Several factors, including climate change and global warming, may promote the biology and spreading of vectors, while globalization, increased travelling of companion animals with their owners, relocation and the rapid growth of human and canine population have caused a geographic expansion of CVBDs into both endemic and formerly unaffected regions [ 1 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”