Serological Study of Selected Vector-Borne Diseases in Shelter Dogs in Central Spain Using Point-of-Care Assays

We evaluated the prevalence of selected vector-borne diseases in 131 dogs in an animal shelter in central Spain using point-of-care assays (SNAP 4DX and SNAP Leishmania; IDEXX Laboratories, Westbrook, ME). The SNAP 4DX detects Dirofilaria immitis ( Di ) antigen and antibodies against Ehrlichia canis ( Ec ), Borrelia burgdorferi ( Bb ), and Anaplasma phagocytophylum ( Aph ); the SNAP Leishmania kit detects antibodies against Leishmania infantum ( Li ). Dogs were classified as healthy or sick based on physical examination, complete blood counts, and serum chemistry profiles. The prevalence of positive test results was as follows: Ec , 5.3% ( n = 7); Aph , 19.0% ( n = 25); Bb , 0%; Di , 0%; and Li , 5.3% ( n = 7). Four dogs (3%) were coexposed to Ec and Aph , and three dogs (2.3%) were coexposed to Aph and Li . There was no statistically significant correlation between positive serology and clinical status (sick vs. healthy) or hematologic/biochemical abnormalities. The prevalence of Aph was the highest and is in agreement with a recent report in a dog shelter in northwestern Spain. These point-of-care assays may be more valuable as epidemiologic than as clinical tools.