TL;DR
The American Animal Hospital Association has released free 2026 One Health guidelines addressing 12 emerging parasites of greatest concern in dogs and cats, plus nine additional parasites of potential concern. The resource offers veterinary teams guidance on recognition, testing, treatment, drug stewardship, zoonotic risks and communication with clients.
The American Animal Hospital Association has released free 2026 One Health guidelines on emerging parasites in dogs and cats, covering 12 parasites of greatest concern and nine more considered potential concerns. The resource gives veterinary teams recommendations for recognition, diagnostic testing, treatment and client education, and addresses risks that may affect pets and people.
The guidelines identify four drivers of parasite emergence: increased antiparasitic drug use and resistance; environmental and host changes; greater movement and interaction among animals; and improved detection through surveillance and diagnostic technologies. AAHA lists these factors in its discussion of how veterinary teams monitor and manage parasitic disease.
Recommendations call on veterinary professionals to use a One Health approach, apply antiparasitic drug stewardship principles, recognize diseases that may be reportable and choose appropriate diagnostic tests. The resource also addresses zoonotic risks and circumstances in which veterinary professionals should contact public health or other appropriate officials.
The guidelines include advice on communicating with clients about parasite risks and control. Co-chair Kathryn Duncan, a veterinarian and parasitology specialist, said control requires a multimodal approach and effective communication. Co-chair Jason Stull, a veterinarian and public-health specialist, said the guidelines discuss disease risks to people and pets, along with client concerns and barriers to antiparasitic drug use, including medication hesitancy.
Guidance Links Pet and Human Health
Parasites in companion animals can have implications beyond an individual pet’s health when they pose zoonotic risks or involve diseases tracked by authorities. The guidelines provide veterinary teams with recommendations for recognizing possible concerns, selecting tests and considering when public-health officials should be contacted.
The resource also addresses prevention decisions, drug stewardship and client communication. It discusses appropriate medication use and owners’ concerns. The source material does not report measured outcomes from using the guidelines.
Four Drivers Shape Parasite Guidance
AAHA’s guidance addresses changes that can affect parasite risks and their detection. The organization lists drug use and resistance, environmental and host changes, animal movement and interaction, and advances in surveillance and diagnostic tools as drivers of emergence.
The guidelines include recommendations on monitoring, diagnosis and client education, as well as medication. The source report identifies 12 parasites of greatest concern and nine additional parasites of potential concern, but does not name them or provide individual profiles in the supplied material.
“Parasite control requires a multimodal approach rather than a single solution.”
— Kathryn Duncan, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), guidelines co-chair
Parasite-Specific Details Not Provided
The source report does not list the 12 parasites of greatest concern or the nine considered potential concerns, nor does it provide parasite-by-parasite testing or treatment instructions. Those details would need to be checked in AAHA’s full guideline resource.
The report also does not specify how often the recommendations will be reviewed, whether particular diseases are reportable in every jurisdiction, or what outcomes clinics may see after adopting the guidance. Reporting requirements and public-health contacts may depend on location; the supplied material does not give jurisdiction-specific instructions.
Consult AAHA’s Full Resource
Veterinary teams can access the free guidelines through AAHA for the full recommendations and parasite-specific information. The organization’s resource contains details beyond the overview in the source report.
For individual animals, owners can discuss concerns about parasite exposure, testing or medication with a veterinary professional. The announcement does not set out a timetable for future updates or identify a next milestone.
Key Questions
What did AAHA release?
AAHA released its 2026 One Health Guidelines: Emerging Concerns in Canine and Feline Parasitology, a free resource for veterinary teams.
How many parasites do the guidelines address?
The resource covers 12 emerging parasites of greatest concern in dogs and cats, along with nine additional parasites considered potential concerns. The source report does not name them.
What topics do the recommendations cover?
They address recognition, diagnostic testing, treatment and client education, as well as drug stewardship, zoonotic risks, potentially reportable diseases and when to contact public-health or other appropriate officials.
Why do the guidelines emphasize a One Health approach?
AAHA’s guidance considers risks to both pets and people, including zoonotic concerns, and encourages veterinary teams to coordinate parasite monitoring and management with appropriate public-health contacts when needed.
Where can veterinary professionals find the guidelines?
AAHA’s free guideline resource is available through the association’s website. The source report directs readers there for more information.
Source: veterinarypracticenews.com
