V COMPL VECTOR-BORNE PARASITIC INFECTION IN DOGS FROM LITHUANIA

Abstract

The main aim of the thesis is to evaluate dirofilariasis cases in dogs in Lithuania. The study was

carried out in Veterinary Small Animal Clinic “Kaivana” and LUHS, VA, Large Animal Clinic in 2015-2016. A total of 103 randomly selected dogs were examined for microfilariae. All positive for microfilaria dog blood samples were tested using Knott's test and microfilaria were morphologically identified. The analysis of clinical findings has shown that the prevalence of microfilariae was 26.8 % in males and 21.6 % in females.

Mix breed dogs showed higher prevalence (43.5 %) than pure breed dogs (P > 0.05). Obtained data indicate that dogs with microfilariae showed no clinical signs – 47.8 %. 21.7 % of the dogs had digestive tract disturbances and 17.4 % of the dogs - haematological disorders. Dogs kept outside showed higher prevalence of infestation than dogs kept inside (P < 0.05). Complete blood count when compared with healthy dogs, was not a significant diagnostic indicator of dirofilariasis. Most of 30 % of canine with microfilaria were clinically healthy.