Main Measures Of Hemoparasite Morbidity In Dogs Using Idexx Snap 4dx At The Veterinary Teaching Hospital Of The San Francisco University Of Quito.

Abstract

Background: Hemoparasitism is a vector-related disease that produces many clinical signs. There are diagnostic ELISA tests such as the Idexx snap 4Dx test. In order for the disease to develop, it requires certain aspects of the etiological agent, the host and the environment.

METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective, observational, longitudinal, epidemiological study, which aims to study the main morbidity measures of hemoparasites in dogs. The quantitative variables were analyzed: body temperature, hematocrit level, and age . The qualitative variables were sex, breed, presence of ectoparasites in the dog, and trips by the dog to the Ecuadorian coast . By determining central tendency measures (MTC), frequency tables, contingency tables with the establishment of the Odds Ratio (OR) as the association unit and statistical significance by determining the Chi Square and the strength of association of differences in means and statistical significance by means of the Student T statistical test. For this study, a 95% confidence interval and a 5% margin of error were used. At the end, an endemic channel was made.

Results: The prevalence of hemoparasites in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the San Francisco University of Quito is 16.89%. The main etiological agent of hemoparasites is Ehrlichiacanis with 56% of positive cases recorded. 32% of cases are due to Anaplasmaphagocytophilum. Three cases of Dirofilaria immitis are recorded , which is equivalent to 12%. No positive case for Borrelia burgdorferi was found. The central tendency measures for the average body temperature is 39.55 ° C ± 0.46. The average hematocrit is 42.29% ± 9.58. The age has an average of 3.70 years ± 3. Using the different averages of the quantitative variables, it was determined that the hematocrit level has an average of 42.8% with a statistical T of 0.74 and a ƿ = 0.74. For the body temperature an average of 39.67 ° C with a statistical T of 1.36 and a ƿ = 0.17. The age does not present a relationship so a statistical analysis cannot be performed. The qualitative variables were analyzed and their results are: the variable sex was observed that females have OR = 1.58, which did not represent statistical significance. The variable race was observed that crossbreeds have an OR = 2.60 and is statistically significant. The variable presence of ectoparasites (ticks) has an OR = 7.11 and is statistically significant. For the variable trips to the Ecuadorian coast there is an OR = 8.21 and is statistically significant. The endemic channel in its security zone has peaks in the months of April, September and October of hemoparasites with 1 positive case per month.Conclusions:There is evidence that dogs in the Ecuadorian highlands are at risk of becoming infected with hemoparasites through vector transmission, as the risks of transmission are unknown. Although exposure may vary depending on the agent and the geographic region traveled to, although not yet described by control bodies, the probability of infection with at least one agent is considerable throughout the Ecuadorian coast.