Serological Survey of Vector-Borne Diseases in the Northern Nevada Coyote (Canis latrans) Population

Abstract

Coyotes (Canis latrans) serve as a reservoir population for many vector-borne diseases that can spread to the domestic animal population. Coyotes have been documented as being infected with the parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis, and the bacterial pathogens Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, and Anaplasma phagoctyophilum, which have been identified as causing disease in domestic canines. Using the IDEXX SNAP 4Dx test and the DiroChek microwell assay test, we tested blood samples collected from coyote carcasses collected in Northern Nevada coyotes to determine the presence of the parasite or bacterial pathogens. In the 30 coyote blood samples tested, 6 (20%) were found to have a positive result on the DiroChek microwell assay test for Dirofilaria immitis¸ 2 (7%) were found to have a positive result on the IDEXX SNAP 4Dx test for Dirofilaria immitis, and none of the samples tested positive for any bacterial pathogens.