DIAGNOSTIC MARKERS OF CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF DOGS AFFECTED BY DIROFILARIASIS

The aim of the study is to develop diagnostic test cards for assessing the condition of animals affected by dirofilariasis. The studies were conducted in the city of Khabarovsk. The object of the study was 12 dogs of various breeds and sexes, aged from 3 to 12 years and weighing from 3.5 to 46 kg, living in apartment conditions. Diagnostic test cards included the assessment of 19 clinical indicators and 60 signs. The research method was a clinical examination of animals. As a result of the initial examination, it was revealed that 50.0 % of the studied dogs had a forced lying posture, 80.0 % – emaciation, and 80.0 % – an increase in abdominal girth. The following abnormalities were found in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems: hypotension (62.5 %), tachycardia (37.5 %), bradycardia (12.5 %). In 80.0 % of cases, the cardiac impulse was displaced beyond the 4th–5th intercostal space; in 37.0 % of cases, the cardiac impulse was weak or split, with a muffled heart sound; in 12.5 %, it was doubled. Heart murmurs were detected in 100.0 % of animals, and capillary refill time exceeded 2 s in 70.0 % of cases. A wet cough and rapid breathing (more than 28 breaths per minute during sleep) were observed in 100.0 % of animals, and dyspnea was observed in 80.0 % of dogs. Based on the conducted studies, the dominant clinical signs of canine dirofilariasis were identified: exhaustion, abdominal breathing, rapid breathing, dyspnea, tachycardia, cough, murmurs, and split heart sounds. These signs indicate chronic cardiovascular and respiratory failure, with hypertension predominating. The obtained results can be used to develop rapid diagnostic methods for dirofilariasis in dogs.