Updates on Emerging and Evolving Gastrointestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats

Parasites have long been a part of day-to-day routine veterinary care worldwide. As new veterinary management challenges have emerged in north America, such as hookworm multi-anthelmintic drug resistance, there have been other recently described changes in parasite frequencies, distributions and emergence (locally, regionally and worldwide). Detection of gastrointestinal parasite resistance and potential zoonotic concerns through recently introduced (and readily available in north America for screening and diagnosis) faecal testing methods (for example, molecular diagnostics), have highlighted the need for anthelmintic stewardship and communication of human health risk worldwide. Further, global veterinary guidelines for gastrointestinal parasite management, alongside recognition of the infectious disease impacts of pet importation and travel, have raised awareness of the clinical implications of canine parasites (current, emerging and evolving), One Health and subsequent need for veterinary attention to gastrointestinal parasite management and pet-owner communication. Clinical examples of gastrointestinal parasites of One Health importance will be used to spotlight these concerns and raise awareness of resources for veterinary management, the latter of which include guidelines from the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites, the Companion Animal Parasite Council, the Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel and the Tropical Council for Companion Animal Parasites.