A Colour Atlas of Companion Animal Parasites – Life Cycles and Morphological Identification

A Colour Atlas of Companion Animal Parasites: Life Cycles and Morphological Identification illustrates how to identify common parasites of dogs, cats and horses using simple morphological features. It presents parasite life cycles in straightforward, accurate terms, and covers:- the general features of major arthropods, helminths and protozoa of dogs, cats and horses;- morphological identification of both adult parasites and their immature stages in tissues, with particular consideration given to differential identification;- major parasites of companion animals which may shift regions because of climate change, animal movement and other anthropogenic factors.Parasite identification is fundamental, not only for planning treatment, prevention and management of parasitic disease, but also for surveillance of invasive exotic parasites and for monitoring the spread of endemic species. With 600 parasite specimens photographed and annotated as a quick reference resource, this book mirrors what a practitioner might view down a microscope, bringing the subject alive. It forms a complete and practical resource for all veterinary students, veterinarians, and anyone interested in parasite control.

John completed his PhD on fly population dynamics in 1992 at the Liverpool school of Tropical Medicine where he worked for 28 years, completing numerous projects in Africa, before moving to the school of Veterinary Science in 2008. Research interests are the biology and control of parasitic arthropods - principally flies, ticks and mites - as agents of skin infestations and vectors of disease and John is the author of some 60 publications, he has more recent interests in parasitic lungworms of companion animals, zoonotic helminths of wildlife and in forensic entomology, a pathology-related veterinary specialism unique to the Liverpool School of Veterinary Science.

Hany Elsheikha is a Professor and Personal Chair of Interdisciplinary Parasitology at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham. He is also the head of the European Scientific Counsel of Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) for the UK and Ireland and is a diplomate of the European Veterinary Parasitology College (EVPC). Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Advance Higher Education. From 2014 to 2015, he was the inaugural Specialty Chief Editor of Parasitology for Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Since joining the University of Nottingham in 2007, Prof. Elsheikha has played a pivotal role in establishing the veterinary parasitology curriculum. His scientific work spans multiple disciplines, combining parasitology, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, and drug discovery, with a focus on how parasites alter host signaling pathways for potential therapeutic benefits. He has authored over 300 research and professional articles on parasite pathobiology and control, holds one U.S. patent, and has written or edited seven books. His ongoing research includes host-parasite interactions, anti-parasitic drug discovery, and understanding parasites with public health impacts.Prof. Elsheikha's career reflects his dedication to the practical application of his research. For instance, he has developed innovative methods for managing livestock parasitic infections and improving preventive health strategies for companion animals. He regularly contributes to clinical guidelines and innovative solutions to parasite control, including in high-profile veterinary events like the London Vet Show (ORCID) (ESCCAP) (Vet Times). He also serves as an expert reviewer for several national and international journals and funding agencies.Prof. Elsheikha earned his PhD in Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology from Michigan State University, where he studied the genetic population structure of Sarcocystis neurona, a protozoan responsible for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in the Americas. He later received a prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship from the National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Suzanne Taylor serves as the Secretariat of ESCCAP UK & Ireland, where she has played a pivotal role in the formation and development of the organisation. Her contributions were instrumental in establishing ESCCAP before national associations across Europe were formally organised. In her current role, Suzanne oversees a wide range of administrative duties, ensuring smooth operations for the UK and Ireland branches. She works closely with the Head of ESCCAP UK & Ireland to implement the association's strategic goals, focusing on improving parasite control and public health outcomes in companion animals. With a reasonable understanding of parasitology and appreciation of the needs of veterinary professionals, Suzanne plays a crucial part in coordinating key activities, from organising meetings to managing communications and facilitating collaboration across ESCCAP's network of collaborators and sponsors. Her experience and dedication have been integral to advancing the association's mission of providing veterinarians, pet owners, and policymakers with up-to-date resources and expert guidance on the control of parasitic infections.