25 September 2020
European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP)
Published 25/9/2020 ESCCAP is an independent, not-for profit organisation consisting of experts in the field of parasitology and public health. Its primary function is to develop free best-practice guidelines for the treatment and control of parasites in pet animals. The guidelines include descriptions of the biology and transmission of the infectious agents along with useful maps showing their distribution in Europe. This is followed by detailed information on clinical signs and diagnosis as well as approaches to treatment and prevention. ESCCAP Guideline 5: Control of vector-borne diseases in dogs and cats Published 25/9/2020 ESCCAP (2019) ESCCAP guideline 5: Control of vector-borne diseases in dogs and cats. 3rd ed. This guideline provides a detailed overview of knowledge of the major vector-borne diseases of dogs and cats including: Leishmaniosis, dirofilariosis, bartonellosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and vector-borne viral diseases, alongside mention of a wide range of other vector-borne pathogens. The authors note that vector-borne pathogens or diseases are important because:- They may be highly pathogenic in dogs and cats.
- Their transmission is often unpredictable.
- Their diagnosis and control are difficult.
- Variable clinical signs can develop after long incubation periods and these are rarely pathognomonic.
- Animals may have persistent infections and thus act as reservoirs.
- Several are important zoonoses, such as leishmaniosis, borreliosis, rickettsiosis, bartonellosis, anaplasmosis and dirofilariosis.