Thelazia callipaeda and Dirofilaria immitis are better known as eye and heart worms, respectively. In recent years, its expansion has been verified, so that more and more cases are registered and in more places. Climate change, as well as other factors associated with human activity, create the ideal conditions for an increase in the populations of the insects that transmit them. For this reason, they are considered emerging diseases, with the aggravating circumstance that they affect both animals and people.
In this article on our site we talk about this problem and explain why there are more and more cases of eye and heartworms in dogs.
Expansion of Thelazia in dogs
Thelazia callipaeda is a parasitic nematode worm from Asia. The first case of thelaziosis in Spain was recorded in humans in 2011 in Coria, Cáceres. That same year the first cases in dogs were diagnosed. It arrived in Badajoz in 2013. At first, the presence of the worm was limited to that geographical area, but it soon began to spread to other provinces where the conditions for the reproduction of the fly that transmits it were present, reaching areas as distant as such as Andalusia and Galicia. Today it is considered distributed throughout practically the entire country
Worm transmission occurs when a fly lands on the eyes of animals or people to gain access to eye secretions. This fly, which belongs to the group of fruit flies, is called Phortica variegata and proliferates in the months of warmer temperatures. Sometimes thelazias go unnoticed as they do not trigger any symptoms, but other times, due to their movements inside the eye, they cause itching, irritation, tearing and even serious damage such as perforations in the cornea. For more information, do not hesitate to visit the website of Deworm your pet
Expansion of filaria in dogs
Dirofilaria immitis is another nematode worm that is transmitted by an insect. The parasite began to be detected in a timely manner as early as the 1930s in Córdoba. For years, his discovery was sporadic. Today, however, its presence has multiplied and it is even considered that it may be present in areas where sampling has not yet detected it. There are several transmitting mosquitoes, one of the best known being the tiger mosquito.
The tiger mosquito is a species in expansion that has achieved a very rapid extension thanks to the increase in temperatures, which increases the risk areas and the infestation period. Thus, in 2006 it was only found in Catalonia, in a specific area such as Sant Cugat, in Barcelona, but in just a few years, the mosquito has reached the entire east coast, south and even the interior and north, being detected in areas such as Extremadura, Basque Country or Galicia. Although this mosquito is a transmitter, it should be noted that it is not the only one, so other equally important mosquitoes, such as Culex pipiens, can also carry the worm.
Mosquitoes transmit heartworms to dogs when they bite. In this way, they enter your body and undergo several changes until they reach the pulmonary arteries and, sometimes, the right ventricle of the heart. In heavy infestations, the worms may also be found in the right atrium or vena cava and hepatic veins. They cause symptoms such as exercise intolerance, cough, breathing difficulties, syncope, weight loss, anorexia, ascites or heart murmur. Heartworm in dogs is difficult to treat and can be fatal. In addition, it also affects people, in whom it causes pulmonary dirofilariosis, but, fortunately, there are very few cases in Spain.
Causes of expansion of emerging diseases
Thelazia and the filaria are expanding because there are more and more regions with the ideal conditions for the insects that transmit them to live and reproduce and for the larvae of the worms to develop inside the insects. It is due to these factors:
- Climate change: the global rise in temperatures modifies the seasons and ensures that optimum temperatures for these insects are reached in more territories and parasites. In addition, these last longer.
- Modification of ecosystems: the greater contact between humans and wild animals and the extension of crops, irrigation and urbanization of land Once wild, the risk of transmission increases due to greater contact with vectors.
- Globalization: Currently, in a matter of hours it is possible to travel to any point on the planet. Travel also includes animals and constitutes an opportunity for the spread of vectors and diseases from endemic areas to those that were still free of certain parasites.
Control of emerging diseases
The spread of diseases such as thelaziosis or filariasis in dogs highlights the importance of establishing control measures to preserve the he alth of animals and people, since we must not forget that they are diseases zoonotic. The One He alth concept was created to remind us that maintaining the he alth of animals is also a way of caring for people, since we are inexorably linked. The motto "one world, one he alth" refers to the fact that the he alth of animals, the ecosystem and our own is interrelated. They are not independent entities, which is why collaboration between doctors, veterinarians and other he alth sectors is sought to preserve the he alth of the planet.
How to prevent emerging diseases in dogs?
On a practical level, preventing the spread of thelazias and filarias involves preventing the insects that transmit them from contacting the dog, but it is not possible to keep them away from all the mosquitoes or fruit flies. Therefore, a regular deworming is recommended to act against these worms and prevent contagion. A correct deworming protocol is especially important if the dog resides in endemic areas or is going to travel to one.
Deworming, at a minimum, must begin before the time of greatest concentration of insects and must not conclude until this period ends. The monthly administration is recommended throughout the year, at least in risk areas. Monthly deworming keeps the dog protected, but also, indirectly, his family. Consequently, it is an important step to help control these diseases.
To deworm your dog, you currently have multiple antiparasitics that act against external or internal parasites. Likewise, there are the oral endectocide products, which have the ability to act against external and internal parasites with a single tablet. These tablets are also very palatable and therefore easier to administer to the dog. They are administered monthly and protect the animal both from GUSOC's (eye and heartworms) and from fleas, ticks and insects.
If you are interested in knowing more about double monthly deworming, do not hesitate to go to your trusted veterinarian for more information.
