Page 33 - AutumnWinterNL22

Vet’s Corner

Ehrlichiosis

Visualisation of Ehrlichia species from blood smears are rare but
samples from the blood, lymph nodes, the spleen or bone marrow
can be used for a PCR test can diagnose E. canis.

Heartworm

Heartworm can spread to dogs from mosquitos that have ingested
immature worms, also known as microfilariae. Infected mosquitos
can then transmit the disease to other dogs during blood meals.

Currently two tests exist to diagnose canine heartworm from a
blood sample. One determines the presence of adult female
populations of the worm (the heartworm antigen test) and the
other for microfilaria (the modified Knott’s test). Interpretation
of these tests can be challenging since various factors including the
time since exposure, recent treatment against heartworm, and the
proportion of female worms infecting the dog, can cause the tests
to have a negative result despite being infected. If both test
results are negative but there is a strong suspicion of disease,
x-rays and ultrasound of the chest would be indicated.

Greyhounds In Need test for all of these diseases prior to
importing Galgos into the UK, but on occasion further testing
maybe required after rehoming due to how certain infections
behave i.e. Leishmaniosis.

Getika Rathor BVMSci MRCVS

Willett House Veterinary Surgeons

33