EPIZOOTOLOGICAL MONITORING OF DIROFILARIАSIS IN DOGS IN SUMY REGION

The article presents data on the study of the spread of dirofilariаsis invasion of dogs in the conditions of the Sumy region. Dirofilariasis is a common helminthic disease of dogs, regardless of their breed, age and economic purpose. Dirofilariasis does not lose its relevance in modern dog habitats. The purpose of our work was to study the distribution, seasonal and age dynamics of dirofilariasis in dogs, taking into account their habitat and economic purpose. The studies was carried out to achieve the goal, of hemolarvoscopic and coproovoscopic. Rapid testing was also used to make a diagnosis. According to the results of the studies, it was found that in 57,6% of cases, dirofilaria monoinvasion was diagnosed, while an associated course of dirofilariasis was recorded in 42,4% of the examined dogs. Dirofilariasis was more often registered in association with toxocariasis, trichuriasis and dipilidiosis. 
The associated course of dirofilariasis was more often recorded in stray animals. In the course of the studies, the breed susceptibility of dogs to helminthiasis has not been established. Dirofilariasis was registered in dogs of different breeds. At the same time, a clear seasonal dynamics of the intensity of dirofilariasis invasion in dogs has been proven. The maximum extensiveness of invasion was established in June (38,7%) and October (42,4%). There was a progressive suppression and deterioration of appetite when detecting microdirofilaria in the blood of dogs. Animals reacted weakly to external stimuli, and in some individuals, the appearance of nervous phenomena was noted. In the course of the studies, a clear relationship was established between the age of infested animals and the extent of invasion. In older animals, the prevalence of invasion increased regardless of breed and sex. In dogs under the age of 1 year, the EI did not exceed 1,6 %, at the age of 1–3 years – 23,5 %, at the age of 3–6 years – 29,4 %. During 2021, the invasion rate of dogs was 0,7 %. The situation was similar in 2020. According to the statistical reporting of the laboratory for 2019–2018, it was established that there were no positive results of microscopic and scatological examinations of samples for dirofilariasis that came from dogs. The proportion of such animals for conducting a similar set of studies was 1,4% in 2017. Thus, the data obtained by us indicate the importance of further study of the spread of dirofilariasis in the dog population of the Sumy region.