Vector-borne parasitic infections in dogs in the Baltic and Nordic countries: A questionnaire study to veterinarians on canine babesiosis and infections with Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens
Abstract
Canine vector-borne diseases have been spreading northwards in Europe, and canine babesiosis and infections with Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) and Dirofilaria repens have been diagnosed also in the Baltic and the Nordic countries. We used an online questionnaire to survey how large a proportion of veterinarians in the Baltic (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) and the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) saw canine babesiosis cases and dogs infected with D. immitis and D. repens in 2016. In addition, questions regarding transmission, zoonotic potential, clinical signs, and treatment of the infections were asked. The questionnaire was completed by 122 veterinarians. In 2016, 23% of them had seen at least one case of canine babesiosis, 15% at least one dog with D. immitis infection, and 9% at least one dog with D. repens infection. A veterinarian working in the Baltic countries had 12.2 times higher odds to have seen a canine babesiosis case and 9.3 times higher odds to have seen a dog with D. repens infection than a veterinarian working in the Nordic countries did. While 48% of the veterinarians knew that canine babesiosis is not considered a zoonosis, 26% knew that D. immitis is zoonotic and 34% knew that D. repens is zoonotic. The results suggested that autochthonous cases of the three vector-borne parasitic infections were seen by veterinarians in the Baltic countries, whereas most cases seen by veterinarians in the Nordic countries appeared to be imported. A substantial proportion of the veterinarians did not know whether the parasites are zoonotic.
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Based on questionnaire answers, autochthonous cases of D. immitis infections were seen by veterinarians in the Baltic countries, whereas most cases in Nordic countries appeared to be imported.
“Based on the answers to a questionnaire, autochthonous cases of D. immitis infections were seen by veterinarians in the Baltic countries, whereas most cases seen by veterinarians in the Nordic countries appeared to be imported [64].”
From What has happened to heartworm disease in Europe in the last 10 years? (2022) · cites this paper as [64]
In a questionnaire study, 11.0% of veterinarians practicing in Nordic countries reported having seen dogs with D. immitis infection, 3.0% reported D. repens infection in 2016, and a majority of cases were in dogs with a history of travel or import.
“Results of a questionnaire study among veterinarians showed that 11.0% of the participating veterinarians who were practicing in Nordic countries reported having seen dogs with D. immitis infection, 3.0% reported having seen dogs with D. repens infection in 2016, and a majority of the cases were reported to be in dogs with a history of travel or import [56].”
From Dirofilaria spp. and Angiostrongylus vasorum: current risk of spreading in Central and Northern Europe. (2021) · cites this paper as [56]
Almost a fourth of veterinarians practicing in Baltic countries reported having seen dogs with D. repens infection, and none of these dogs had a history of travel or import.
“almost a fourth of veterinarians practicing in Baltic countries reported having seen dog(s) with D. repens infection, and none of these had a history of travel or import [56].”
From Dirofilaria spp. and Angiostrongylus vasorum: current risk of spreading in Central and Northern Europe. (2021) · cites this paper as [56]
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- Authors
- Tiškina, V., & Jokelainen, P.
- Affiliations
- Estonian University of Life Sciences (EE)
- Statens Serum Institut (DK)
- Corresponding author
- Tiškina, Valentina
- ORCID
- Jokelainen, Pikka
- Venue
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2017-09
- Volume
- 244
- Pages
- 7-11
- ISSN
- 0304-4017 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2737342850
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 1.65
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Veterinary Parasitology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Base Financing of Estonian University of Life Sciences (8P160014VLVP)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Helminth infection and control
- Keywords
- canine babesiosis, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, dogs, Baltic states, Nordic countries, zoonotic potential, autochthonous infection, imported infections, clinical signs, treatment
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Babesia, Babesiosis, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilariasis, Dog Diseases, Dogs, Surveys and Questionnaires, Scandinavian and Nordic Countries, Veterinarians, Dirofilaria repens
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