The purpose of the study reported here was to estimate the frequency of skin lesions (dermatitis) associated with parasite infestation by nematode in stray dogs. A total of 70 stray dogs admitted to the Dog Track of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, were used in the study. These dogs were sacrificed using humanitarian procedures following approved federal Mexican regulations (NOM-033-ZOO-1995). For diagnosis of skin lesions, two skin biopsies from different anatomic sites were taken (punch, 6 mm diameter). Biopsies were processed for diagnosis of dermatitis using standard histopathologic techniques (including use a 10% formaldehyde solution, paraffin, and HE staining techniques) (Luna, 1964; Muller, et al., 1991; Jubb, et al., 1993).

In the histopathologic exam, 39 (55%) dogs were diagnosed with dermatitis; 2 of the 39 dogs with dermatitis had lesions in an interphase stage, 20 showed peri-vascular lesions, 17 had nodular lesions, and 6 had presence of nematodes (e.g., Ancylostoma and Microfilariae) (Cordero del Campillo, et al., 1999; Hargis, et al., 1999; Bolio, et al., 2002; Tarello, 2003).

To our knowledge, this is the first report on the frequency of skin lesions in stray dogs by Ancylostoma and Microfilariae, in the Peninsula of Yucatan. Analysis of study results reported here indicate that dermatitis is a frequent disease in stray dogs in the city of Merida. Small animal clinicians should be aware of the high frequency of skin lesions in stray dogs and help educate the public on the potential zoonotic implications of human exposure (contact) with stray dogs.

References

1.  Bolio, M.E.; Montes, A.M.; Gutierrez, C.; Alonso, F.D.; Bernal, L.J.; Sauri, C.H.; Rodríguez-Vivas, R.I. (2002). Clinical findings in dogs parasited by Dipetalonema dracunculoides. Arch. Med. Vet. 34(2): 283-286.

2.  Cordero del Campillo, M., Rojo-Vázquez, F., Martínez-Fernández, A., Sánchez-Acedo, C., Quiroz-Romero, H., Carvalho, M. (1999). McGraw-Hill-Interamericana. Madrid, España.

3.  Hargis, A.; Lewis, T.; Duclos, D.; Rausch, R. (1999). Dermatitis associated with microfilariae (Filarioidea) in dogs. Vet. Dermatol. 10: 95-107.

4.  Jubb, K. V. F.; Kennedy, P. C.; Plamer, N. (1993). Pathology of Domestic Animals. Fourth Edition. Vol. 1

5.  Luna, L.G. (1964). Manual of staining methods. AFIP.

6.  Muller, G. H.; Kirk, R. W.; Scott, D. (1991). Dermatología en pequeños animales. 4ta. Edición. Ed. InterMédica.

7.  Tarello; W. (2003). Dermatitis associated with Dirofilaria repens. Microfilariae in a dog from Rome. Vet. Journal, 165:175-177