Studies on the prevalence and distribution of filariasis in dogs from Los Angeles County, California (1996-1998)

A total of 4,350 dogs in 103 Los Angeles County, California, cities were ex amined from July 1996 through May 1998 by the DiroCHEK(R) antigen and polyc arbonate system for filarial infections. Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) wa s found in 18 dogs, 9 of which originated in and never traveled out of Los Angeles County, according to their owners. The distribution of heartworm in fected dogs was not uniform. Ten (56%) of the infected dogs with heartworm were found in the communities of West Hills, Woodland Hills, and Canoga Par k. These communities had a prevalence of 13/1000 as opposed to the remainde r of Los Angeles with a prevalence of 4/1000.