Description
In an increasingly interconnected world, pet travel has become more common, creating unique challenges for veterinary medicine. Coupled with the effects of climate change, these trends have facilitated the spread of diseases and parasites, reshaping the landscape of animal healthcare. Vector-borne diseases are on the rise due to warmer climates and expanded habitats of insect vectors like fleas, ticks and sandflies.
These diseases, previously confined to specific regions, are now being reported in areas where they were once rare, requiring veterinarians to stay vigilant and well-informed about emerging threats. Similarly, climate change and global mobility have contributed to the increase in prevalence of lower respiratory tract infections caused by lungworms and heartworms. These parasites, once limited by temperature and environmental conditions, are becoming more prevalent in regions with previously low risk, demanding a proactive approach to diagnosis and prevention. Gastrointestinal parasites, ranging from worms to zoonotic protozoan species, are another growing concern.
Their possible incidence increase due to environmental shifts highlights the importance of educating pet owners on zoonotic prevention and managing gastrointestinal cases to protect both animal and human health. As the dynamics of infectious diseases evolve, veterinarians must adapt to these changes by developing comprehensive strategies to prevent, diagnose, and treat these conditions, ensuring the health and safety of pets and their owners.
Learning Objectives
- Understanding how to include new aetiologies in a problem-based-approach differential diagnosis as cats come from other latitudes
- Realise how it could be to work as a vet in other locations in Europe regarding prevention, diagnosis and treatment of vector-borne diseases and intestinal parasites
- Update on feline infectious diseases
