Top 5 Tips for Interpreting Heartworm Test Results

Clin Brief. March 2022;20(2):. 9 Refs

Andrew R Moorhead¹, Cassan N Pulaski

¹ College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.

Author Abstract

Diagnosing heartworm infection in dogs and cats requires more than a patient-side antigen test. Discover one expert's approach to interpreting heartworm test results.

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Association between highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks and weather conditions in Japan.
We found that higher average air temperatures two to three weeks prior, lower average wind speeds four weeks prior, and longer sunlight hours two and four weeks prior to outbreaks were significantly associated with increased risk of HPAI outbreaks in Japan. These results suggest that weather may influence environmental survival and transmission of the virus, as well as patterns of wild bird movement that could seed new outbreaks.

Recovery of ambulation in small, nonbrachycephalic dogs after conservative management of acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion.
Forty-nine of fifty-one (96%) of deep pain-positive and 10/21 (48%) of deep pain-negative dogs recovered ambulation within the 12-week period. The median time to ambulation was 11 and 25 days for deep pain-positive and -negative dogs, respectively. Reduction in spinal cord compression varied among individuals from minimal to complete and apparently was unrelated to the recovery of ambulation.

The relationship between radiographic disc calcification score and FGF4L2 genotype in dachshunds.
Most dachshunds with 1 FGF4L2 copy have radiographic disc calcification scores that are associated with substantially lower risk of symptomatic disc disease. Radiographic disc calcification scores are similar in dachshunds with 0 and 1 FGF4L2 copies. Given the high allele frequency of FGF4L2, breeding to produce progeny with 1 FGF4L2 copy is expected to be a more achievable short-term goal for dachshund spinal health breeding programs than breeding for 0 copies. It is recommended that both K-n and FGF4L2 genotype status be considered when choosing dachshund breeding stock.

Efficacy, safety and interval from end of treatment to estrus in cats treated with an ultra-low dose megestrol acetate protocol for suppression of reproductive activity.
Twenty-eight queens were treated orally with 11.5 µg/kg/day of megestrol acetate (MA) for one to six months. MA suppressed reproductive function effectively in 27/28 queens. Transient mammary and uterine hyperplasia were detected in four (14 %) and three (11 %) queens, respectively, treated for more than four months, without associated clinical signs. Significant but reversible weight gain was observed in 85 % of the animals. The resumption of cyclicity occurred on average 6 weeks after the end of treatment but was influenced by the duration of treatment and seasonality.

Owner satisfaction and prognosis for return to work after pancarpal arthrodesis in working dogs in the United Kingdom: a retrospective study (2011-2020).
50% (5/10) owners stated their dog could perform normal duties; 4/10 (40%) could perform most duties with some allowances. 80% (8/10) owners rated the level of post-operative lameness as unaffected with a normal gait. 90% (9/10) owners were either very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome of the procedure, and 90% owners stated the financial investment was worthwhile.