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The American Animal Hospital Association has released free 2026 guidelines addressing 12 emerging parasites of greatest concern in dogs and cats, plus nine additional parasites of potential concern. The resource offers veterinary teams advice on recognition, testing, treatment, prevention and communication about risks to pets and people.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released its 2026 One Health Guidelines: Emerging Concerns in Canine and Feline Parasitology, a free resource covering 12 emerging parasites of greatest concern in dogs and cats and nine additional parasites considered potential concerns. The guidelines give veterinary teams recommendations for recognition, diagnostic testing, treatment and client education, while addressing parasite risks that can affect both animals and people.
The guidelines identify four drivers of parasite emergence: increased antiparasitic drug use and resistance; changes in environments and hosts; increased movement and interaction among animals; and improved detection through surveillance and diagnostic technologies. The document links these factors to the need for veterinary teams to monitor parasite risks and adapt their approaches as conditions and evidence change.
Among the recommendations, AAHA encourages veterinary professionals to take a One Health approach to monitoring and management, apply principles of antiparasitic drug stewardship, recognize diseases that may be reportable, and select diagnostic tests suited to the suspected parasite. The resource also addresses zoonotic risks and when veterinary professionals should contact public health authorities or other appropriate officials.
Two co-chairs highlighted the role of communication alongside clinical measures. Kathryn Duncan, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), said parasite control requires a multimodal approach rather than a single solution, including effective communication with clients. Jason Stull, VMD, MPVM, PhD, DACVPM, said the guidelines focus on discussing disease risks to pets and people and responding to client concerns and barriers to antiparasitic drug use, including medication hesitancy.
Guidance for Pet and Public Health
The guidelines matter because parasite management can involve more than treating an individual animal. By addressing animal and human health together, the resource gives veterinary teams a framework for recognizing when a suspected parasite may also have public-health relevance and when outside authorities may need to be contacted. That is particularly relevant for parasites with zoonotic risks, though the source report does not specify which of the covered parasites require notification.
The recommendations also address decisions that can shape prevention and treatment over time. Drug stewardship is presented as part of parasite management amid concerns about antiparasitic drug use and resistance. The emphasis on client education recognizes that care plans may be affected by questions or hesitancy about medication. The guidelines therefore pair testing and treatment recommendations with advice on explaining risks and discussing options with pet owners.
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How AAHA Frames Parasite Emergence
AAHA describes the guidelines as focused on emerging concerns in canine and feline parasitology, rather than as a list limited to parasites newly discovered in pets. The source report says the document covers 12 parasites of greatest concern and nine additional parasites of potential concern, but does not name them or explain the criteria used to group them.
The four drivers identified by AAHA provide the framework for the resource: drug use and resistance, environmental or host changes, animal movement and interaction, and better detection. The report says the guidelines offer practical recommendations across recognition, diagnosis, treatment and client education. It directs readers to AAHA for the full resource; the source material does not describe a specific rollout or adoption schedule.
“Parasite control requires a multimodal approach rather than a single solution.”
— Kathryn Duncan, DVM, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology), guideline co-chair
Parasite List and Guidance Details
The source report does not provide the names of the 12 priority parasites or the nine additional parasites, nor does it give parasite-by-parasite testing or treatment protocols. Those details would need to be checked in AAHA’s full guidelines. The report also does not state whether the recommendations replace existing clinical guidance or how frequently AAHA plans to update them.
It is also unclear from the available information when public-health officials should be contacted in specific cases; the report says the guidelines address that question but does not reproduce the criteria. No data are provided on how common the parasites are, where they are spreading, or whether the guideline release follows a particular outbreak or newly documented trend.
Veterinary Teams Can Consult AAHA
The immediate next step for veterinary professionals is to consult the free AAHA guidelines for the full parasite list and recommendations on diagnosis, treatment, stewardship and communication. The source report directs readers to AAHA’s website for the resource. It does not announce a training program, implementation deadline or scheduled update.
For pet owners, the guidelines are intended to support conversations with veterinary teams, not to replace an examination or individualized advice. Questions about parasite risks, testing or antiparasitic medication should be discussed with a veterinarian, who can consider the animal’s circumstances and relevant local risks. Further details on use and uptake were not included in the source report.
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 cover?
The guidelines address 12 emerging parasites of greatest concern in companion animals and nine additional parasites of potential concern. The source report does not list their names.
What topics do the recommendations cover?
They cover parasite recognition, diagnostic testing, treatment, client education, drug stewardship, reportable diseases and zoonotic risks, including when to contact public-health or other appropriate officials.
Are the guidelines intended for pet owners?
The resource is described as guidance for veterinary teams. Pet owners can discuss its topics with their veterinarian, who can advise on appropriate testing and care for an individual animal.
Source: veterinarypracticenews.com
