Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heartworm infection in dogs and first cat cases in Greece
By Diakou, Anastasia et al.·Published in Parasitology research·2019·Faculty of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Canine and feline dirofilariosis in a highly enzootic area: first report of feline dirofilariosis in Greece.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Three stray cats in a shelter in Northern Greece were found to have heartworm infection, a serious condition caused by the Dirofilaria immitis parasite. Out of 180 animals tested, 9.4% of the cats and 25% of the dogs were positive for heartworm. Unfortunately, one of the infected cats died a year later, and an examination revealed heartworms in its heart. This study highlights the importance of preventive measures for heartworm in areas where the disease is common, especially for cats who can also be affected.
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Abstract
Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) is enzootic in many areas of the world and quite prevalent in southern European countries. Although dogs are the main host of the parasite, cats may also be infected, and the prevalence of feline dirofilariosis is associated with the respective prevalence of canine infection in any given area. The aim of the present study was to investigate the proportion of D. immitis infection among dogs and cats that were not under any kind of prophylactic treatment and were living in a heartworm enzootic area. In total, 180 stray animals (148 dogs and 32 cats) living in a shelter in Northern Greece were examined for heartworm infection by the Knott's test and serology (antigen and in cats also antibody detection), and additionally echocardiography in the infected cats. Thirty-seven (25%, CI 18.7-32.5%) of the dogs and 3 (9.4%, CI 3.2-24.2%) of cats were found to be positive, by at least one of the tests applied. In 2 of the infected cats, the parasites were also detected by echocardiography. One of the positive cats died suddenly 1 year after diagnosis and at necropsy two decomposing D. immitis were found in the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. This is the first report of confirmed feline dirofilariosis in Greece. The detected proportion of infection in cats was 38% of the respective canine infection in the examined shelter. The results of the present study underline the high risk of infection of cats living in enzootic areas and the imperative character of preventive measures in such conditions.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30397776/