Endemicity of Dirofilaria immitis and Dipetalonema reconditum in dogs of Pleasants Valley, Northern California
Walters, L.L.; Lavoipierre, M.M.; Timm, K.I.; Jahn, S.E.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 42(1): 151-154
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 7194612 Document Number: 169928
A house-to-house survey of dogs in a 26 km2 area of Pleasants Valley (Northern California) was done to determine the prevalence of the filariids D. immitis Leidy and D. reconditum Grassi in the canine population. Blood samples were taken from the cephalic vein of 97 dogs (.gtoreq. 5 mo. of age) and were tested for the presence of microfilariae, using a modification of the Knott technique. Two dogs with autochthonous D. immitis (2.1% of the dogs examined) were discovered. These dogs were outdoor-housed working or sporting dogs, 5-8 yr old, 1 female and 1 male. Five male dogs, > 2 yr of age (5.1%), were positive for D. reconditum microfilariae. Mixed infections were not detected.