Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How vets control dog worms and parasites in Brazil
By Vale, Tássia Lopes do et al.·Published in Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria·2021·Programa de Pó·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Practices employed by veterinary practitioners for controlling canine gastrointestinal helminths and ectoparasites.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Veterinarians in Brazil commonly recommend a combination of medications every three months to prevent intestinal worms in dogs, with a follow-up treatment after 15 days. For controlling fleas and ticks, most vets suggest regular treatments, with some using monthly medications that can be applied topically or through collars. However, many veterinarians have concerns about the effectiveness of certain products, particularly fipronil for ticks, and some suspect that collars may cause side effects. Overall, there is a need for clearer guidelines on how to effectively manage these parasites in dogs.
Abstract
The present study attempted to evaluate the practical experience and methods employed by Brazilian veterinary practitioners for control of parasites. Twenty-one questions were asked of 403 veterinary practitioners based in different climatic zones with reference to parasite epidemiology from the country. Administration of a combination of drugs at three-month intervals was the most common regime recommended for prophylaxis against gastrointestinal helminths, with a single treatment repeated after 15 days. Routine prophylaxis against dog ectoparasites was recommended by 82.4% veterinary practitioners, and 46.6% changed the drug compound used. Monthly prophylaxic treatments for ectoparasites, using systemic, topical and/or collar-impregnated drugs, was recommended by 21.5% veterinary practitioners. Side-effects of ectoparasiticide-impregnated collars were suspected by 58% of the veterinary practitioners. Isoxazolines were the most frequently used chemical group to treat ectoparasites in dogs. Poor efficacy of fipronil in controlling ticks was suspected by 79.5% of the veterinary practitioners. The isoxazolines and combination of anthelmintic compounds are the most common drugs to prevent or treat ectoparasites and gastrointestinal nematodes, respectively. The suspect of the inefficacy of antiparasitic drugs is shared among the veterinary practitioners from part of Brazil. Guidelines are needed, specifically for the control of gastrointestinal helminths and ectoparasites in Brazilian dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34669762/