Preliminary results of the dog and cat exotic disease surveillance scheme

Cats in Britain appear to be less vulnerable to exotic diseases than dogs

Source: Paul Mauser
Veterinary Record vol 153 no 7, August 16 2003 p220

The British government launched its Dog and Cat Travel Risk Scheme (DACTARI) in March 2003, for voluntary reporting of cats and dogs with exotic diseases, especially if they have been abroad under the Pet Travel Scheme. Cats appear to be less vulnerable than dogs, since no cases of exotic diseases were reported from March to July inclusive, while 12 dogs were reported, one with two conditions. There were eight diagnoses of leishmaniasis, four of babesoisis, and one of ehrlichiosis. Two diagnoses of leishamniasis and one of babesoisis were also reported prior to the start of DACTARI. Ten of these cases involved dogs that had travelled to France and Spain. Leishmaniasis is a disease that humans can suffer from too, and it is not easy to treat.
CA,HD