Canine neural angiostrongylosis: a case–control study in Sydney dogs. Issue 6 (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walker, AG; Spielman, D; Malik, R; Graham, K; Ralph, E; Linton, M; Ward, MP
• Is Part Of: Australian veterinary journal. Volume 93:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 199
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Australia -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/avj.12332
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-0423

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="avj12332-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To determine the risk factors for canine neural angiostrongylosis in dogs domiciled in Sydney, Australia; geographic location, age, sex, neuter status, weight and breed were assessed.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12332-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Procedure</title> <p>Case and matched‐control dogs were selected from three veterinary clinics in Sydney. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with disease status. A scan statistic was used to identify disease clusters.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12332-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Age (young dogs) and neuter status (entire dogs) were independent risk factors for neural angiostrongylosis diagnosis, and diagnoses predominantly occurred during autumn, with some evidence of spatial clustering.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12332-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Veterinarians in endemic areas should be aware of these risk factors when presented with suspect canine neural angiostrongylosis cases and also should consider advising clients of preventive treatment. Potential human health risks should be further investigated, because urban dog populations might represent a useful sentinel species for disease in humans.</p> </sec> </abstract>