2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

The results suggest that antibodies against the APH-4 peptide may be useful for early detection of AP infection. Doxycycline administration using this protocol decreases C6 antibody levels to a greater extent than antibodies measured by AP peptide ELISA. Dirofilaria immitis is endemic to certain areas of the United States and causes a detrimental disease (heartworm disease) that is relatively costly to treat both financially and with regards to animal welfare. Though the Colorado climate is not conducive to year-round replication of mosquito species that carry the organism, microclimates exist wherever humans inhabit thus potentially allowing year-round transmission of D. immitis and propagation of strains from dogs entering the Colorado shelter system. Animal shelters on the northern Colorado Front Range frequently transport dogs from other states including those with a high risk of D. immitis infection. The hypothesis for this study is that shelter dogs have a higher prevalence than the general pet dog population. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of D. immitis antigen in the serum of dogs entering animal shelters in Northern Colorado.