Chapter 11 - An overview of diagnostic evaluation of parasitic diseases of dogs and cats

Abstract

Parasite infections in dogs and cats are still a major animal health problem in both industrialized and developing nations, with dire consequences. Veterinary parasitology diagnostics is one of the key components of companion animal health industry. There are several parasites shared between pets and humans, which raises the importance of timely diagnosis of their parasitic infections. Diseases such as toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis, giardiasis, echinococcosis, dirofilariasis, and toxocariasis can be readily transmitted from pets to humans. In a tropical country such as India, an animal cannot be imagined to complete their life span without any exposure to the parasites. Even in scarcity of pastures and fodder cultivable lands, parasitic infections are inevitable in companion animals. This chapter describes certain diagnostic procedures of veterinary importance to detect both internal and external parasitism in dogs and cats. Arthropod infection is mainly seasonal in dogs and cats. Poor hygiene, low regularity in de-worming, and overcrowding are some of the major factors responsible associated with parasitic infection in dogs. Newer detection technologies have been created and investigated in response to the growing burden of parasitic illnesses. To accurately identify these parasites, the diagnostic method’s effectiveness is critical. Recent advances in diagnostic technologies, such as serology- and molecular-based tests, are supplementing the traditional approach of microscopy in identifying and verifying current or previous infections, as well as particular parasite species. Ongoing parasitic infection investigations utilizing these sophisticated technologies will give helpful information for evaluating the efficiency of the existing control program and, as a result, assisting future planning for enhanced parasitic infection eradication tactics.