Authors : Abdelkader Ammam and Meriem Aissi
Abstract: Canine heartworm disease also called cardiopulmonary filariasis is a non-contagious helminthosis, particularly affecting canines, due to the presence in the right heart and the pulmonary artery of a wired called: heartworm, this is a serious disease that causes overall heart failure, highly hampers the dogs who become unable to make the expected services and most often leads to death. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of heartworm in dogs in the wilaya of Tiaret, a town in Western Algeria. Between February 2010 and December 2015, 1300, blood samples were taken from dogs of various age, each sample was analyzed using various laboratory techniques (direct microscopic evaluation of a sample of fresh blood, MGG staining, rapid test immunomigration “Dirofilaria witness”). Then, autopsy of dead dogs and/or euthanized. A prevalence of 0% was found on a sample of 1300 dogs. This study shows for the first time the prevalence of heartworm in Tiaret region of Algeria and emphasizes the importance of routine screening for the disease to establish any possible emergence of pathology.
Abdelkader Ammam and Meriem Aissi, 2015. Contribution to the Study of Canine Heartworm in Tiaret (Algeria). Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 14: 340-344.