CRC ARTHRO-BORNE INFECT DIS DOG CAT PDF

Preface

The study of arthropod-borne infectious disease in companion animals is developing rapidly. For example, new species and subspecies of Babesia affecting dogs and cats are being characterized as this book is being written. In addition, it is highly likely that the role of arthropods in the transmission of other important canine and feline diseases will be confirmed. This is particularly the case with the haemoplasmas (previously Haemobartonella species) of dogs and cats, where investigation of transmission by Ctenocephalides felis (the cat flea) is the subject of current intensive research.

With this background, we set out to produce a text that would collect together the important information related to the arthropod-borne infectious diseases of companion animals. Our objectives in producing this book were:

To provide veterinary surgeons with comprehensive information on clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, control and zoonotic implications of the major arthropod-transmitted diseases of dogs and cats (Chapters 5 to 13).

• To provide additional information in the same text on relevant aspects of the biology of the arthropod vectors and their wildlife host species. It is hoped this will encourage greater understanding of the challenges required in controlling these infections as well as an appreciation of the biological complexities involved in their maintenance (Chapters 1 and 2).

• To provide additional information in the same text on the immunological interactions between arthropodborne pathogens, their vectors and the companion animal hosts (Chapter 3). Immune–mediated disease is a hallmark of infection with this specific group of pathogens, and it is hoped that Chapter 3 will provide veterinary surgeons with a basis for understanding and interpreting the clinical and laboratory evidence for this in cases with suspected arthropod-borne disease. In addition, appreciation of this complex interaction provides a platform for understanding both the difficulties involved in the development of traditional vaccines for this group of infections and the development of novel immunomodulatory approaches to treatment.

• To provide more detailed information in the same text on the expanding array of diagnostic techniques routinely available to veterinary surgeons dealing with these diseases (Chapter 4). Arthropod-transmitted diseases provide a real diagnostic challenge. Many tests are available for the same disease, using different technologies and with differing sensitivities and specificities. Tests for exposure to infection, such as antibody-based serology, provide different information from those designed to identify active infection (PCRbased methods). Both sets of information may be useful in difficult cases and Chapter 4 has been written to enable veterinary practitioners to better understand the laboratory basis for the results they receive.

Arthropod-Borne Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat is a project that has arisen from the clinical, laboratory diagnostic and research interests of the editors in this rapidly developing field of veterinary medicine. Over a number of years we have met and collaborated with many veterinarians and scientists active in this field who have become valued colleagues and friends. Many of these have contributed the chapters, illustrations or data that form this book. To these contributors we are exceedingly grateful for your excellent reviews and prompt responses to questions or proofreading. Your enthusiasm and rigorous scientific input has helped us to produce a text of which we can all be proud.

We must also acknowledge the superb support from Manson Publishing for this project. The book was born from early discussions with Jill Northcott and we are grateful for her support and gentle cajoling throughout. Michael Manson has been characteristically supportive and it has been a pleasure to work with him. We are very pleased to be able to thank the production team headed by Paul Bennett, and the expert and detailed copyediting provided by Peter Beynon. The hand-drawn sketches produced by individual contributors have been expertly rendered into a uniform style by Cactus Design and Illustration.

We hope this book will prove an informative and practical resource to practising veterinarians who deal with this fascinating group of diseases.