Hepatozoon Canis and Hepatozoonosis in the Dog

This review summarizes data from the numerous investigations from the beginning of the last century to the present. The studies concerned the main issues of the morphology, the life cycle, hosts and localization of Hepatozoon canis (phylum Apicomplexa, suborder Adeleorina, family Hepatozoidae). The characteristic features of hepatozoonosis, caused by Hepatozoon canis in the dog, are evaluated. A survey of clinical signs, gross pathological changes, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of the disease was made. The measures for prevention of Hepatozoon canis infection in animals are listed. The importance of hepatozoonosis with regard to public health was evaluated. The studies on the subject, performed in Bulgaria, are discussed.