DIROFILARIOSIS AND ANGIOSTRONGILOSIS IN PET AND HUNTING DOGS IN NOVI SAD, VOJVODINA, SERBIA

Abstract

The aim of this study is to update the data on the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) and Dirofi laria repens (D. repens) infections in pet dogs, to report a preliminary result of the prevalence of Angiostrongylus vasorum (A. vasorum) in hunting dogs, and to assess the presence of concurrent infection with D. immitis and A. vasorum in hunting and pet dogs in Novi Sad. Th e methods used to estimate the prevalence of dirofi laria infections were modifi ed Knott test and detection of antigen of D.immitis. Th e prevalence of A. vasorum was determined using Baermann fecal technique and detection of A. vasorum antigen. Concurrent infection with D. immitis and A. vasorum was assessed only by detection of antigens of each parasite. Overall prevalence values for D. immitis and D. repens were 18.95% (24/143) and 16.32% (27/143), respectively. Th e prevalence of A.vasorum in hunting dogs was 1.96% (1/51). Concurrent infection with D.immitis and A. vasorum did not exist in examined hunting and pet dogs. Further studies with larger number of examined dogs and samples from other region of the country are needed to determine the prevalence of these parasites.

Keywords

• Dirofilaria spp.
• A. vasorum
• prevalence
• dogs