The serological response of dogs to Taenia ovis

Authors: Heath DD, Hale LD
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 44, Issue 5, pp 165-169, Oct 1996
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Cestode, Parasites - internal, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Treatment/therapy
Article class: Scientific Article

---

Abstract: The effect of 4-weekly anthelmintic dosing and other treatment regimes on the serological response of dogs to Taenia ovis was examined. Most dogs which were frequently fed infected meat and dosed with a cestocidal anthelmintic at 4-week intervals eventually showed a positive ELISA absorbance. The absence of dosing, or intermittent dosing, of repeatedly infected dogs raised ELISA absorbances to very high levels in most dogs and these absorbances took an increasingly longer time to fall after each new infection. The feeding of large numbers of frozen, dead cysts to sensitised dogs raised absorbance levels. The serological test for T. ovis infections in dogs does not detect false postives. Positive tests result from the dog being exposed to T. ovis scolex secretory antigen.

---