Clin Lab III: FIV and FeLV HW

What is the common name for Dirofilaria immitis?

Heart-worm disease.

What is the name of the parasite residing in the SQ tissues and possibly the body cavity of a dog that produces microfilaria resembling that of D. immitis?

Dipetalonema Reconditum.

Define host.

Animal/plant that harbors or nourishes another organism (parasite).

Define vector.

A carrier, especially an animal/insect that transfers an infective agent from host-to-host.

Define microfilaria.

Immature heart-worm.

Which larval stage of D. immitis is when microfilaria in the blood of an infected animal is sucked up by a female mosquito while it is feeding?

L1.

Which larval stages of D. immitis develop in the mosquito?

L1-L3.

Which larval stages of D. immitis develop in the animal/host?

L4-L5.

Which larval stage of D. immitis is the infective stage?

L3.

Heart-worm disease results in ______-sided heart failure.

Right.

List the clinical signs seen in a patient infected with heart-worm disease.

• Fatigue easily

• Chronic coughing

• Overall appearance is rough and not thriving

• Ascites

• Sudden collapse

• CHF

• Respiratory problems

• Visual microfilaria

How many heart-worms do cats typically posses?

Less than 6, usually 1-2.

How many mature heart-worms can a dog possess in a moderate to severe infection?

50-100.

On what area of a blood film/smear do you look for microfilaria?

Feathered edge.

Is there currently an ELISA SNAP test to test dogs for heart-worm?

Yes (4DX plus).

Is there currently an ELISA SNAP test to test cats for heart-worm?

Yes (feline triple).

Define patent heart-worm infection.

Heart-worm adults are sexually mature and producing microfilaria.

Define occult heart-worm infection.

The infected animal has sexually mature heart-worm adult heart-worms present, but no microfilaria are present.

List the three phases of heart-worm for a dog in the correct order they would be administered.

1. Adulticidal therapy.

2. Microfilaricidal therapy

3. Prophylactic therapy

What is the name of the drug used to kill adult heart-worms in a dog and what route is this drug administered?

Immiticide, administered IM route.

Define hemoptysis.

Coughing/spitting up blood.

During heartworm treatment, why is it important to restrict the patient’s activity to 3-4 weeks?

Lessens the change of thromboembolism.

• A blood clot forms in one blood vessel, breaks loose, travels through the bloodstream, and becomes wedged in another vessel, blocking blood flow.

How often is heart-worm preventative typically given?

Once a month.

Why is diagnosing heart-worm disease in a cat more difficult than it is for dogs?

Due to the lower worm burden affecting the cat.

List some of the names of heart-worm preventatives currently available for dogs and cats.

• Interceptor

• Heartgard plus

• Revolution

• Ivermectin

• Advantage Multi

FeLV and FIV are caused by what type of virus?

Retroviruses.

What does FeLV and FIV stand for?

FeLV: Feline Leukemia Virus

FIV: Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

How is FeLV transmitted?

Moist contact

• Contact w/ infected salvia through grooming, licking, biting, shared dishes, and litter pans.

List the clinical signs seen in a cat infected with FeLV.

• Fever

• Anorexia/weight loss

• Anemia

• Secondary infections

• V/D

• Spontaneous abortions

• Renal/liver dz

• Neurological signs

Does the ELISA SNAP test for FeLV detect antigens or antibodies?

Antigens.

FIV is a disease that slowly depresses the _____________ ____________ in cats.

Immune system.

How is FIV transmitted?

Fighting and biting.

Are male or female cats twice as likely to be infected with FIV?

Male cats, usually strays.

List the clinical signs of a cat infected with FIV.

• Stomatitis/gingivitis

• Skin infections

• Cachexia

• Anorexia

• Diarrhea

• Upper respiratory infections

• Ocular disease

• Neurological diseases

Does the ELISA SNAP test for FIV detect antigens or antibodies in a cat’s blood?

Antibodies.

Is there currently a cure for FIV or FeLV in cats?

No.

Is there currently an approved vaccine available for BOTH diseases, FIV and FeLV in cats?

No, but FeLV has one.