Dirofilaria immitis in military dogs--diagnosis, incidence and treatment
Butts, D.W.
Veterinary Medicine-Small Animal Clinician 65(1): 48-53
1970
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4889 PMID: 5198013 Document Number: 24515
Routine examination of several thousand German shepherd dogs from all parts of the continental USA by a peripheral blood concentration method, revealed Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae in about 2%; Dipetalonema reconditum occurred occasionally in mixed infections. The blood concentration method and the physical parameters used in identifying the microfilariae are described. Dogs should be tested at least once a month. A course of chemotherapy involving 1% thiacetarsamide sodium (Caparsolate) at 0.1 ml. per Ib. body-weight given 4 times over 36 hours followed by dithiazanine iodide (Dizan) at 3 mg. per Ib. is described. Dosage may need to be higher than previously recommended to be effective; case histories are given. The geographical distribution of Dirofilaria immitis in the USA appears to have increased to cover the whole of the country apart from some of the more arid Mid-West States.