Canine vector-borne diseases: a changing world demands a new preventive strategy from veterinarians

Canine vector-borne diseases pose a continuous threat to dogs worldwide. Various vector-borne agents, including bacteria, protozoa, helminths, and, to a lesser extent, viruses, cause these diseases. These pathogens are transmitted primarily by arthropod vectors, including ticks, mosquitoes, phlebotomine sand flies, fleas, lice, tabanid flies and triatomine bugs. The diagnosis and treatment of these diseases can be challenging, and co-infections may further complicate management. Besides being potentially fatal to dogs, some of these pathogens are zoonotic. Many biotic and abiotic factors (e.g. climate change, increased mobility of people and animals, urban expansion and land-use changes) are affecting the distribution and activity of vectors and the pathogens they transmit worldwide. The evolving relationship between dogs and humans may also increase owners' exposure to ectoparasites and the diseases they transmit. In this article, we review key aspects of canine vector-borne diseases and discuss the importance of year-round prevention, as recommended by established international guidelines from leading veterinary parasitology organizations.