Detecting Canine Vector-borne Diseases with the Bioguard's 4-in-1 test kits

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Detecting Canine Vector-borne Diseases with the Bioguard's

4-in-1 test kits

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) include a variety o,f illnesses which are mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, phlebotomine sand flies, fleas, and ticks. These blood-feeding vectors can transmit many dangerous pathogens– such as bacteria, protozoa, viruses or helminths - to dogs or humans. Climatic and ecological changes, national regulations on the management of stray dogs together with an increase in pet travel and translocation of pet animals can influence the epidemiological situation of CVBDs.

CVBDs represent a substantial diagnostic challenge for veterinarians because of the long incubation periods, non-specific clinical signs, and co-infections with multiple pathogens simultaneously. Therefore, veterinarians are increasingly identifying dogs with multiple simultaneous vector-borne infections that appear to be more likely to develop disease manifestations and can have more pronounced pathology involving internal organs.

Since prevalent CVBDs are different in global distribution, veterinarians usually detect different CVBDs based on their prevalence in the areas. To meet the need for detecting CVBDs at different regions, Bioguard has committed to develop different combination of 4-in-1 rapid tests. Bioguard now offers three products of 4-in-1 rapid test that have been validated extensively for detection of antibodies to Leishmania infantum, Babesia gibsoni, Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, A. platys, Ehrlichia canis, and antigen of Dirofilaria immitis (Heartworm).

The specific diseases detected by Bioguard’s different 4-in-1 kits are listed below.

To know more about the Bioguard's products, please click here

American Veterinary Medical Foundation and Merck Animal Health to support relief efforts in Ukraine

(SCHAUMBURG, Illinois) March 10, 2022—Responding to urgent relief needs in Ukraine, the American Veterinary Medical Association today announced that its charitable arm, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation , will direct a $100,000 donation from Merck Animal Health to help pets in need , to support veterinary and animal-welfare groups in the war-torn country and the surrounding areas. In addition, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation will be matching this grant from Merck Animal Health with a donation of $100,000. The AVMA is encouraging its 99,500 members and the general public to consider contributing to relief efforts by donating to the AVMF.

The funding will provide food, medical care, disaster relief, and emergency support for veterinary and other organizations to protect animal welfare and the welfare of the care providers. The AVMF will be responsible for directing distribution of the funding. One hundred percent of the donations will be used to help those in need and animal care.

“People and animals in Ukraine desperately need help, and we are very grateful to Merck Animal Health for its generosity,” said Dr. Douglas Kratt, Chair of the AVMF.

New research reveals brachycephalic dogs at 7x risk of cherry eye

The Royal Veterinary College has published new research which has revealed the risk factors for Prolapsed Nictitating Membrane Gland, aka Cherry Eye, in dogs.

Led by the RVC’s VetCompass Programme, researchers say the study1 was the largest exploration of cherry eye in dogs in the world.

The research team followed the anonymised veterinary health records of 905,553 dogs for a year and identified that 0.20% (1,802 dogs) were affected by this condition.

Certain breeds showed showed significantly high proportions of dogs with cherry eye, including: Neapolitan Mastiffs (4.9%), English Bulldogs (4.8%), Lhasa Apsos (1.6%) and American Cocker Spaniels (1.5%).

Importantly, say the researchers, some popular designer breeds of flat-faced dogs were also hugely affected, such as the Puggle (Pug x Beagle) (2.1%) and Jug (Jack Russell Terrier x Pug) (1.2%), suggesting the recent craze for designer crossbreeds does not eliminate health issues associated with the parental pure breeds.

Overall, brachycephalic breeds had 6.9 times the risk of cherry eye compared with dogs with medium skull length, with the Neapolitan Mastiff at the top of the league table with a risk factor of x34.

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Bioguard Canine Babesia gibsoni Ab Test

Babesia gibsoni is a tickborne protozoal blood parasite that causes hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, lethargy, and splenomegaly in dogs. Infected dogs may exhibit either peracute, acute, subclinical or chronic signs of disease. Severe cases may lead to organ failure and death.

The disease is more severe in young dogs, immunosuppressed dogs, heavily parasitized dogs, and when there is exposure to a virulent strain or concurrent infection. Infected dogs

may exhibit either peracute, acute, subclinical or chronic signs of disease. Severe cases may lead to organ failure and death. However, chronic stages often make the dog a carrier of the organism and becomes asymptomatic. Some dogs remain asymptomatic carriers of parasites, and facilitate the transmission of parasites to tick vectors.

Prompt diagnosis of dogs infected with B. gibsoni plays an important role in treatment and prevention of the disease. Bioguard Canine Babesia gibsoni Ab Test is designed to detect anti-B. gibsoni antibodies in either serum, plasma or whole blood within 5-10 minutes. The test requires neither special equipment nor training. Turnaround time is far shorter than PCR tests. With its high sensitivity (96.29%) and specificity (91.66%), Bioguard Canine Babesia gibsoni Ab Test can help veterinarians identify dogs infected with B. gibsoni.

Sensitivity and specificity of Bioguard Canine Babesia gibsoni Ab Test (using PCR testing as the reference method)

Sensitivity: 96.29%　　　　Specificity: 91.66%

About Bioguard Corporation

The Bioguard is a company focusing on animal

disease diagnostic services and products.
Our animal health diagnostic center is

the first and only ISO/ IEC 17025 accredited animal disease testing laboratory

in Taiwan and China.

Our mailing address is: [email protected]

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