Normally, when we think of dog parasites we imagine fleas or worms, but the truth is that there are other parasites that can cause serious he alth problems. In addition, their proliferation is increasing as a result of factors such as climate change and globalization. It's about the GUSOCs: eye and heart worms
In this article on our site we explain what GUSOCs are, how they affect dogs and how to treat them.
What are GUSOCs?
GUSOCs are the parasitic worms that affect the eyes and the heart The heartworm or Dirofilaria immitis is a roundworm that it preferentially lodges in the pulmonary arteries, although it can also affect the right part of the heart. Both parasites belong to the group of vector-borne pathogens, that is, transmitted to animals or people by arthropods. In the case of Dirofilaria immitis, the dog becomes infected after being bitten by mosquitoes of the Culicidae family that contain filarial larvae in their mouthparts. For their part, eye worms or Thelazia callipaeda live in the orbital cavity of the eye and underlying tissues. They are transmitted by Phortica variegata flies, which belong to the group of fruit flies and which land on the eyes of animals to feed on their secretions.
Both parasites can trigger important diseases such as thelaziosis and dirofilariosis. In addition to affecting dogs, these pathologies have the aggravating circumstance that they are zoonoses. This means that they can also be transmitted to humans.
The expansion of the GUSOCs
Both diseases occupy a good part of the Spanish geography and there are areas where they are highly prevalent. Heartworm disease can reach up to 35% prevalence in some areas (ie, out of every 100 dogs, 35 are infected). As for thelaziosis, there are areas where up to almost 70% of dogs are infected.
But in addition, both dirofilariosis and thelaziosis are vector-borne parasitic diseases that are currently expanding. In the case of thelaziosis and dirofilariosis, in more and more places there are conditions that favor the life cycle of insects that transmit thelazias and filarias to the dogs. These mosquitoes and flies thrive in warm temperatures. Therefore, climate change, which raises the average temperature worldwide and alters the seasons, is a factor that contributes to the fact that GUSOCs in more and more territories be a problem. In addition, human activities modify the balance of ecosystems and produce such important changes as deforestation, urbanization or closer contact with animals wild, which act on numerous occasions as reservoirs.
Finally, another very important factor is globalization Today the movement of people and animals to any part has increased of the globe. In a matter of hours it is possible to travel enormous distances, which favors the spread of these and other diseases.
How do GUSOCs affect dogs?
Pathologies associated with GUSOCs are currently expanding and their progress is also expected in the coming years. Once GUSOCs manage to infect a dog, they can trigger more or less pronounced symptoms that correspond to the following diseases.
Symptoms of thelaziosis in dogs
The action of thelazias causes an irritation at the ocular level that sometimes occurs mildly, while in others damage becomes quite serious. There is also a percentage of dogs infested by the eye worm that do not show any symptoms.
Milder cases are characterized by tearing, epiphora, which is intense tearing, and eye discharge. In addition, the dog will keep its eye closed as much as possible. Some specimens will even rub their legs to relieve the discomfort. There may be hair loss in the periocular area. The more serious cases show conjunctivitis, keratitis, which is inflammation of the cornea, and corneal ulcers. Although rare, corneal perforation can occur, causing blindness.
In addition to the symptoms mentioned, it is possible to see the worm directly in the eye. In either case, veterinary treatment is required to remove the worms and treat the symptoms.
Heartworm symptoms in dogs
In this case, we are facing a progressive and serious pathology, since the worms are going to affect vital organs. The adult worms are found in the pulmonary arteries and can also affect the right side of the heart. In addition, they release microscopic larvae, called microfilariae, which circulate in the blood. Infested dogs show symptoms such as cough, respiratory and cardiac problems or exercise intolerance, among others. When the number of adult filariae is very high, they can also be lodged in the vena cava and hepatic veins, causing liver failure, ascites, anemia, hemorrhage or jaundice.
The damage caused by these parasites is so serious that it can lead to the death of the dog. But the problem of filariasis does not lie only in the clinical picture that develops depending on where the worms are located or the quantity in which they are found, but rather that the treatment of the disease itself is very delicate and complex, since, When the worms die from the treatment, parasitic fragments can cause thrombi, mainly in the lungs.
How to eliminate GUSOCs in dogs? - Treatment
Treatment is not the same for eyeworms as it is for heartworms. Of course, in both cases it is necessary to go to a veterinary clinic so that a specialist can determine the treatment.
- Treatment for eye worms: These parasites should be manually removed whenever possible. In addition, antiparasitic treatments should be administered.
- Heartworm Treatment: As mentioned, this is a complex treatment. There is a drug to treat adult worms, although the protocol has to be done properly to kill the worms gradually and minimize the risk of thrombi. In addition, this treatment is accompanied by other antiparasitic medications to treat all the parasitic phases that the dog may have (eg, microfilariae).
For both diseases, in addition to antiparasitic treatments that eliminate parasites, veterinarians administer other supportive treatments, that is, for clinical signs, if necessary.
How to prevent GUSOCs in dogs?
Since the consequences of a possible eye or heartworm infection in dogs are so serious, prevention is essential. Luckily, we have the double monthly protection, which consists of giving the dog an antiparasitic tablet every month that protects it both from external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, such as parasitic worms, such as those mentioned here, as well as others.
Go to your veterinary clinic, request double monthly protection and keep your dog away from the fearsome GUSOCs: eye and heartworms.
Do GUSOCs affect people?
Thelaziosis and dirofilariosis are diseases with zoonotic potential. This means that human beings can contract them In fact, there are cases of thelaziosis and pulmonary dirofilariosis described in humans in Spain. Infection is not caused by direct contact with the dog, but transmission is always due to the vector. In this sense, the problem with dogs having GUSOCs is that they will act as reservoirs. This means that fruit flies and mosquitoes could pick up the worms from contact with the infected dog and subsequently spread them to people. Hence, it is essential to prevent GUSOCs from dogs, to protect them and their entire human family.
For all of the above, preventive antiparasitic treatment is recommended for all dogs residing in endemic areas, that is, those in which GUSOCs are known to be present, or in those who are going to travel to one of these areas.
