Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Preventing and treating African trypanosomosis in French military dogs
By Watier-Grillot, Stéphanie et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2013·Working Group on Animal Epidemiology of the French Forces Medical Service, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Chemoprophylaxis and treatment of African canine trypanosomosis in French military working dogs: a retrospective study.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of military dogs in France was diagnosed with African trypanosomosis, a serious disease caused by a parasite transmitted by tsetse flies. Symptoms appeared during their missions in Africa, leading to a high rate of illness and death among the dogs. To combat this, veterinarians started a preventive treatment program in 2004, using a medication called isometamidium chloride, given every two to three months, along with special collars to repel flies. This approach not only helped prevent infections but also successfully treated infected dogs, allowing them to fully recover without any relapses.
People also search for: dog trypanosomosis symptoms · military dog fly prevention · isometamidium chloride for dogs
Abstract
African trypanosomosis is a major threat to livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the disease mainly concerns cattle, dogs can also be infected by Trypanosoma spp. transmitted by tsetse flies. Between 1997 and 2003, the parasite Trypanosoma congolense was identified in French military dogs sent to Africa. On infected dogs, the diagnosis was made during the mission or just after the return to France, depending on when the symptoms appeared. The high incidence and mortality rate among these dogs led veterinarians of the French Health Service to implement a systematic chemoprophylaxis beginning in 2004. Between 2004 and 2011, the chemoprophylaxis was carried out on more than 400 military dogs. The protocol of chemoprophylaxis relies on the use of isometamidium chloride (Trypamidium(®), Merial). The drug has been used successfully at the dosage of 1mg/kg body weight by deep intramuscular injection, every two or three months. In addition, dogs are given collars impregnated with deltamethrin (Scalibor(®), MSD Animal Health). Isometamidium chloride was also used successfully in the treatment of military dogs infected with T. congolense, with a full recovery and without any relapses.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23452503/