A New Treatment Schedule For Canine Filariasis
Date
2001-11-16
Authors
Wijayawardhane, K. A. N.
Dangolla, A.
Silva, I. D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract
This paper reports a new treatment schedule for canine filariasis and describes the
clinical signs and the blood picture of three out of fifteen filaraemic dogs. The dogs described
were between 2 and 9 years of age , and were either Mongrel, German Shephered or Golden
Retrievers. The complaints made by the owners were anorexia, skin rashes and periodic
blindness. Clinical manifestations of the dogs varied from mild to critical anaemia, ascites,
oedema of the dependent parts and fever. Examination of microfilaria in a drop of blood and
using the Knott's technique revealed the presence of microfilaria ranging from 300 to
20,000/ml of blood.
The dogs were treated with Levamisole 10-11 mg/kg body weight, orally, once daily
for six consecutive days. An antihistamine was given to counteract the allergic reactions due to
dying filarial worms. Six days after Levamisole treatment, the microfilarial count had dropped
to zero except in one dog which had a count of 36/ ml of blood. Subsequently, the
microfilaricidal therapy with ivermectin was administered. During and after treatment, the
kidney functions were also assessed by urine analysis and was found to be normal.
Conventional microfilaricidal treatments are diethyl carbamazine citrate (DEC) and
ivermectin, These drugs may show various side effects. DEC needs to be used for a longer
period and may cause anaphylactic reactions and is also not recommended to be used in
microfilaraemic dogs. The dramatic decline in microfilarial counts, which usually occur with in
the first several hours after administration of ivermectin, may account for some acute adverse
effects such as shock, renal impairment and diarrhoea.
Description
Keywords
Agricultural , Treatments , Canine , Filariasis
Citation
Proceedings & abstracts of the Annual Research Sessions 2001,University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka,pp.174