Dirofilaria immitis is an extremely common and often life-threatening parasitic infection, with ≈ 1million dogs testing positive annually in the U.S. While the condition is common, there are still many misperceptions concerning the life cycle and transmission of this mosquito-vectored disease. Additionally, numerous questions still arise concerning the accuracy of diagnostic procedures, and resistance to the preventatives and proper adulticidal therapy. This presentation will attempt to provide insights into our changing understanding of heartworm infections in dogs and the opportunities that exist to provide better protection for our pet companions.

Control of tick infestations and tick transmitted diseases can be difficult and frustrating. Reports of product failures are common and resistance are often blamed. However, various biologic and ecologic factors are actually responsible for most perceived control failures. One area of specific importance is the documented range expansion and increased density of several important tick species and associated tick-borne diseases. This lecture will highlight the host, habitat and climatic factors that have contributed to changes in tick distribution, density and seasonality. Information will also be presented on how changes in tick range and density have contributed to spread of tick transmitted diseases. Current data on tick product performance and implementing effective tick control strategies will also be discussed.

This seminar will highlight several of the important advances in our understanding of flea biology that have had direct impacts on development of control programs, including the parasite-host relationship of C. felis, differences in male and female develop times, the critical concept of premises biomass and host acquisition. In addition, major changes in product development and implementation of flea control programs occurred following advances in our understanding of the residual speed of kill and reproductive break-points of insecticides. Data generated in in-home investigations have repeated demonstrated that the systemic isoxazolines can effective eradicate flea infestations and provide rapid reduction in pruritus and improvement in clinical signs of Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD).

Ancylostoma caninum is a common and pathogenic hookworm species of dogs that has been historically easy to manage with a wide array of anthelmintics. However, in recent years there have been a number of reports of anthelmintic treatment failures. These cases were at first confined primarily to retired racing greyhounds, but more recently have been documented in more than 20 dog breeds. Multi-Anthelmintic Drug Resistance (MADR) is now well documented and new diagnostic approaches and treatment options are being developed. This seminar will detail the current state of knowledge on MADR in Ancylostoma caninum and provide an update on potential treatments.

While giardiasis is common it certainly is not routine. Questions concerning what is the best diagnostic test and the most effective treatment persist. Issues concerning zoonotic potential and public health implications are difficult to ascertain. This seminar will provide an update on the diagnosis, control and zoonotic potential of giardiasis in dogs and cats.