Echinococcos Multilocularis is a taeniid tapeworm endemic in much of Europe, from central France eastwards. Foxes are the main definitive hosts and voles and other small rodents act as intermediate hosts. Dogs are easily infected and although the adult parasite produces no clinical signs in dogs it can cause a potentially fatal condition in humans (alveolar echinococcosis).
Read more on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
Read more on the PubMed website
The microscopic eggs are infective immediately. Infection is uncommon but not impossible in cats.
In endemic areas it is recommended that dogs which have access to rodents are wormed monthly with praziquantal. It is also important to advise clients that the eggs can also be found in the dog’s coat especially if it becomes contaminated with fox faeces. It should also be remembered that dogs will need to be treated for tapeworm before re-entry into the UK.
Tick borne diseases
Although the requirement to treat pets for ticks before re-entry into the UK has been removed the need to treat them before travelling abroad has not. While both ticks and tick borne diseases such as Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) are present in the UK there are also species of tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and diseases (e.g. Erlichia canis, Babesia canis and Hepatozoon spp) which are not. While the majority of ticks are found in pasture and woodland it should be remembered that R. sanguineus can be found in domestic environments such as homes and kennels.
Acaracides should be applied before travel, animals should be checked regularly and visible ticks removed. It should be remembered that frequent water exposure may reduce the efficacy of the acaricidal product and products should be reapplied in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Other Vector Borne diseases
Leishmaniasis is an infectious and potentially fatal disease caused by a protozoan parasite common in Mediterranean coastal areas and transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies. Despite the name, which relates to their brownish colour, the flies are found in woodlands and crevices in old buildings. The sand flies are active from May to October and feed mainly at dusk and dawn. Prevention involves avoiding the sand flies and the use of insect repellents such as those containing synthetic pyrethroids (do not use in cats) although repellents alone cannot be relied upon to prevent disease. A vaccine has recently been launched in Europe but is not yet available in the UK.
Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) is a nematode worm endemic in Mediterranean areas. Dogs are the primary definitive host however the cat is a susceptible if not ideal host. Microfilariae are spread by blood sucking mosquitoes during feeding and the larvae migrate to the pulmonary artery and adjacent areas where they develop into adult worms. Many mosquitoes are capable of transmitting the parasite including species present in the UK. While the synthetic pyrethroids have some repellent effect on mosquitoes these should not be relied upon and preventive treatments such as Milbemycin or Selamectin should be given throughout the mosquito season starting one month before exposure.
Rabies
Rabies in Europe is predominately sylvatic rabies, with wildlife species, especially the Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) accounting for approximately 80% of all rabies cases. While many Western European Countries have successfully controlled rabies in wildlife through the use of oral vaccination programs it should be remembered that sporadic cases do still occur, usually in illegally imported animals.
Read about rabies risks in terrestrial animals, by country on the Health Protection Agency website.
While travelling pets will be protected by vaccination it is important for clients to realise that they will not be and to get immediate treatment for any bite wound. It is also important to stress to clients the importance of not deciding to rescue strays of unknown health status as this risks introducing a number of diseases into the UK.