A Review of Radiographic and Computed Tomographic Features of Helminth and Arthropod Parasitic Diseases in Dogs.

Abstract

Parasites are a major cause of disease in dogs globally; some are well recognized in the veterinary community, whereas others are less well known. This review summarizes and discusses radiological and computed tomographic (CT) findings of 18 helminth and arthropod parasitic diseases in dogs. Each section begins with a summary of the parasites' distribution, life cycle, and clinical manifestations. The review finds that the imaging features of some parasitic diseases are well described in numerous studies, whereas others are found only in case reports. Findings ranged from pathognomonic to nonspecific. The review concludes that diagnostic imaging can be a useful tool in the investigation of parasitic disease and that further research is needed into the radiological and CT characteristics of lesser known and emerging parasitic diseases in dogs.