2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Successful transmission of B. burgdorferi to all eight placebotreated dogs was confirmed by positive antibody (6 of 8 dogs), PCR (7 of 8 dogs), and/or culture result (7 of 8 dogs). Similarly, transmission of A. phagocytophilum was confirmed by the presence of antibodies in four placebo-treated dogs. In contrast, a single oral dose of sarolaner prevented transmission of B. burgdorferi from infected ticks to dogs infested 21 or 28 days after treatment as demonstrated by negative antibody, PCR, and culture results. Prevention of A. phagocytophilum transmission was also demonstrated by negative antibody in all sarolaner-treated dogs. There were no adverse reactions to treatment with sarolaner. Blood samples from apparently healthy stray (n = 38), shelter (n = 39) and hunting dogs (n = 35) and outdoor pet dogs suspected to have tick borne diseases (n = 50) were tested using real time PCR and serological assays. Real-Time PCR assays were used to amplify Babesia, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia DNA from blood samples. An experimental SNAP Ã’ Multi-Analyte Assay (SNAP Ã’ M-A) (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Westbrook, Maine, USA) was used to screen all sera for antibodies to Anaplasma and Ehrlichia genus peptides and A. phagocytophilum, A. platys, B. burgdorferi, E. canis, E. ewingii, and E. chaffeensis species-specific peptides. Modified Knott test was used to identify dogs with Dirofilaria sp. microfilaria presence.