Parasite roundup for 2025

Cats and dogs harbour parasites of both zoonotic and animal health concern. Some of these, such as cat fleas and Toxocara spp, have been endemic in the UK for a very long time. Others, such as tick-borne encephalitis virus, are relatively new arrivals and many novel pathogens are being seen frequently in imported dogs. Among these, Dirofilaria immitis and Leishmania spp remain of great concern. Parasite distributions across Europe remain very fluid against a backdrop of climate change and pet movements.