The rate of external parasites among pets in Vietnam surges

The 6th Asian Veterinary Dermatology Conference was held on July 5 in Da Nang City, Vietnam, hosted by the Vietnam Small Animal Veterinary Association in partnership with the Korean Veterinary Dermatology Association and the Asian Veterinary Dermatology Association.

The event provides a platform for regional veterinarians to share and exchange experiences in diagnosing, testing, and treating skin disorders in pets, with presentations from Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese experts on diverse themes related to skin diseases in dogs and cats.

In Vietnam, the prevalence of skin diseases in dogs is high due to the country's tropical monsoon environment and living conditions. Common skin illnesses encompass allergic dermatitis, external parasite infections, as well as bacterial and fungal infections.

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) survey found that the most frequently seen problems in veterinary clinics include allergic dermatitis, hormone abnormalities, bacterial infections, allergies, fungal infections, and parasite infections, with a prevalence rate of 50%. It is important to note that certain skin diseases in pets can be passed on to humans. Examples of these diseases include ringworm, dog mites, fleas, and lice. They can cause intense itching, dermatitis, and secondary infections in humans.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Quang Thong from the University of Agriculture and Forestry in Ho Chi Minh City advises that ensuring proper cleanliness for pets, administering parasite prevention medicine, and scheduling frequent health check-ups are effective measures to safeguard pets against disease-causing agents. In addition, practicing proper hand hygiene after coming into contact with pets and minimizing contact with pets that have skin ailments can effectively mitigate the danger of transmitting skin diseases from pets to humans.

"Ensuring proper environmental sanitation is crucial for preventing and treating skin diseases in pets, and Vietnam has yet to fulfill this essential requirement. This is the reason for the elevated infection rate in comparison to the rate observed a decade ago," Thong stated.

The conference will make a significant contribution to the development of the veterinary industry, especially the small animal veterinary sector. It features 15 carefully researched scientific reports presented by prominent domestic and international experts, researchers, and scientists in veterinary dermatology.

Furthermore, it offers training and practical experience for veterinarians in diagnosing and treating skin illnesses in dogs and cats, including pruritic skin in dogs, atopic dermatitis in cats, and the latest information on immune-mediated skin diseases in dogs and cats.

This program is a component of the state's initiative to strengthen strategic and multidisciplinary collaboration between Vietnam and South Korea in 2024.