Parasites of Domestic Animals

The main objective of the course is to give the understanding of host-parasite relationship and pathogenic potential of parasites, as well as to learn Students the diagnostic methods used in parasitological labs. Common parasites of domestic animals, and zoonotic potential of any parasite species, are considered.

Lectures (20 hours):

1. Introduction to the course. Key definitions. Parasites as pathogens

3. Infection and disease. Factors affecting the epizootiology of parasitic diseases

4. The spectrum of parasitism. Institute’s collection of parasite specimens

5. Characterization of protozoa. Life cycles of coccidia and their importance to epizootiology and control programmes

6. Characterization of helminths. Life cycles of flukes, tapeworms and nematodes, and their importance to epizootiology and control programmes

7. Characterization of arthropods (mites, ticks, fleas, lice and flies). Myiasis

8. Parasitic zoonoses

Lab works (10 hours):

1. Methods, tools and techniques used in diagnostic parasitology.

2. Indication of parasitic species.

Anonymous, 1986: Manual of veterinary parasitological laboratory techniques. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, London.

Kaufmann J., 1996: Parasitic infections of domestic animals. Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel.

Soulsby E. J. L., 1982: Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals. Bailliere Tindall, London.

Thienpont D. et al., 1986: Diagnosing helminthiasis by coprological examination. Jannsen Research Foundation, Beerse.

Urquhart G. M. et al., 1996: Veterinary parasitology. Blackwell Science, Oxford.

Students understand the host-parasite relationship and know the pathogenicity of parasites.

They are familiar with the major diagnostic methods used in veterinary and environmental parasitology.

Students are aware of the hazards associated with zoonotic parasites.

To pass the course, Students are obligated to write the final test.