Prevalence of heartworm in relocated, local and outreach clinic dogs: A Canadian sheltering perspective

Jacobson, Linda S.; Ward, Karen Ann; Lacaden, Aveline Baldasan; Hornak, Tamisca Ann

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109081

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Hundreds of thousands of dogs are relocated internationally each year in Europe, with more than 300,000 entering the United Kingdom via the EU Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) alone [16]. Large numbers of dogs are also relocated throughout North America, with a recent report from Canada demonstrating that dogs originating in USA are positive for heartworm at double the frequency of Canadian dogs [17]. Dirofilaria immitis infections were reported in 109 dogs in Austria, with the dogs originating from Hungary, Greece, the western Balkans, the Iberian Peninsula, Romania, USA, or Bulgaria [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dirofilaria immitis: Genotyping Randomly Selected European Clinical Samples and USA Laboratory Isolates with Molecular Markers Associated with Macrocyclic Lactone Susceptibility and Resistance

et al. 2022

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Dirofilaria immitis is a parasitic nematode and causes dirofilariosis, a potentially fatal pulmonary infection which primarily infects canids. Dirofilariosis infections are controlled via prophylactic macrocyclic lactone (ML) regimens. Recent evidence has confirmed the development of ML-resistant isolates in the USA, which are genetically distinct from wildtype populations. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with ML-resistant phenotypes were clinically validated in USA populations. In this study, 3 USA laboratory-maintained isolates (Berkeley, Georgia II, and WildCat) and 11 randomly selected European clinical samples from 7 hosts were analyzed. The samples tested were fresh microfilaria (mf) in blood or adult worms preserved in ethanol. The samples underwent MiSeq sequencing of the top 9 SNP associated with ML resistance. The results provide the first genotypic analysis of the three USA laboratory-maintained isolates and any European samples. The European clinical samples show no genomic evidence of ML resistance based on the 9 SNP. The early adoption of genotyping of clinical D. immitis samples could provide an early indication of the potential development of ML resistance and aid to distinguish clinical cases of heartworm infection due to ML resistance from those due to a lack compliance with the recommended treatments, as has been seen in North America.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dirofilaria immitis: Genotyping Randomly Selected European Clinical Samples and USA Laboratory Isolates with Molecular Markers Associated with Macrocyclic Lactone Susceptibility and Resistance

et al. 2022

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“…Heartworm infection was con rmed as previously described [21]. A physical examination by a veterinarian, complete blood count and biochemistry pro le were performed for all dogs with HWI.…”

Section: Diagnosticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Further variation of the adulticide protocol for the treatment of canine heartworm infection: Can it be even shorter and cost less?

Ward

Jacobson

Lacaden

et al. 2022

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Background This retrospective study evaluated modified 3-dose melarsomine treatment protocols in a shelter setting and compared them to the American Heartworm Society (AHS) recommended protocol. Methods As compared to the AHS protocol, the shelter protocols utilized doxycycline 10 mg/kg once daily (SID) or twice daily (BID), and varied the time from initiation of doxycycline (day 1) to the first melarsomine injection (M1). Dogs were retrospectively grouped based on the shelter’s current protocol (M1 on day 14; Group A) and the AHS protocol (M1 on day 60; Group C), allowing a week on either side of the target M1 day. Treatments that fell outside of these ranges formed two additional treatment groups (Groups B and D). Respiratory complications were defined as respiratory signs requiring additional treatment, and were statistically compared for Groups A and C. New respiratory signs and gastrointestinal (GI) signs were compared between dogs receiving SID or BID doxycycline. Results One hundred fifty-seven dogs with asymptomatic or mild heartworm disease at presentation were included. All dogs survived to discharge. There was no statistically significant difference between Groups A (n = 79) and C (n = 27) for new respiratory signs post-melarsomine (P = 0.73). The time to M1 for 14 dogs that developed new respiratory signs was median 19 days, compared with 22 days for 143 dogs without new respiratory signs (P = 0.2). Respiratory complications post-melarsomine were uncommon. New respiratory signs post-melarsomine occurred in 10/109 (9.2%) dogs receiving SID doxycycline and 4/48 (8.3%) dogs receiving BID doxycycline (P > 0.999). GI signs prior to M1 were recorded for 40/109 (36.7%) dogs receiving SID doxycycline and 25/48 (52.1%) receiving BID doxycycline (P = 0.08). Forty-four follow-up antigen test results were available; all tests performed > 3 months after the third melarsomine injection were negative. Conclusions This study provided support for initiating melarsomine after 14 days of doxycycline and for a lower doxycycline dose. Shorter and less expensive treatment protocols can increase lifesaving capacity and improve quality of life for shelter dogs by reducing the duration of exercise restriction and length of stay.

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“…Lower household income has been associated with higher prevalence, most likely because families were unable to purchase heartworm preventives (19). In most surveys, prevalence is markedly greater in dogs with limited or no access to veterinary care than owned dogs likely to have been tested at veterinary visits (12,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) (Figure 1). Owners of heartworm-positive dogs are frequently unable to afford or otherwise access melarsomine treatment (8,9,18,31,32), which is expensive and requires multiple veterinary visits.…”

Section: Is Perfect the Enemy Of Good When It Comes To Heartworm Treatment?mentioning

confidence: 99%

An Accessible Alternative to Melarsomine: “Moxi-Doxy” for Treatment of Adult Heartworm Infection in Dogs

Jacobson

DiGangi

2021

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Canine heartworm infection, caused by the filarial parasite Dirofilaria immitis, represents a serious and expanding animal welfare concern that is expected to increase due to the effects of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. A body of evidence has emerged to support the use of a non-arsenical adulticide treatment protocol, using moxidectin and doxycycline to kill adult heartworms over a prolonged period. While a three-dose protocol using the arsenical drug melarsomine is currently the safest and most effective treatment for heartworm infection, this drug is not available in some countries and is inaccessible for many owners and animal shelters. Moxidectin-doxycycline (moxi-doxy) provides a viable alternative to no treatment at all, in cases where arsenical treatment is not possible. Based on current evidence, the most effective non-arsenical treatment regimen is doxycycline 10 mg/kg PO q 12 or 24 h for 28 days, combined with topical moxidectin at label dose. Moxidectin is repeated monthly until no antigen detected (NAD) status is confirmed. Sustained release injectable moxidectin, in combination with doxycycline, may provide an alternative in remote regions or in settings where significant compliance or accessibility concerns exist, but more studies are needed. In moxi-doxy protocols, doxycycline should be repeated annually until NAD. This review summarizes the safety and efficacy of moxi-doxy, addresses controversies surrounding this treatment approach, and provides detailed recommendations for treatment regimens and post-treatment testing.

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Prevalence of heartworm in relocated, local and outreach clinic dogs: A Canadian sheltering perspective

Cited by 9 publications

References 17 publications

Dirofilaria immitis: Genotyping Randomly Selected European Clinical Samples and USA Laboratory Isolates with Molecular Markers Associated with Macrocyclic Lactone Susceptibility and Resistance

Dirofilaria immitis: Genotyping Randomly Selected European Clinical Samples and USA Laboratory Isolates with Molecular Markers Associated with Macrocyclic Lactone Susceptibility and Resistance

Further variation of the adulticide protocol for the treatment of canine heartworm infection: Can it be even shorter and cost less?

An Accessible Alternative to Melarsomine: “Moxi-Doxy” for Treatment of Adult Heartworm Infection in Dogs

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