Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dirofilaria repens worm found in dog's castration wound in UK
By Wright, Ian·Published in Companion Animal·2017·Co-owner of the Mount Veterinary Practice, 1 Harris St, Fleetwood FY7 6QX; independent parasitologist and head of ESCCAP UK & Ireland, United Kingdom·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Case report: Dirofilaria repens in a canine castrate incision
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog undergoing routine castration had a Dirofilaria repens worm discovered during the procedure. While this parasite is not as harmful as another type, it can still cause skin and eye problems in dogs. This case is notable because it's the first reported instance of Dirofilaria repens infection in the UK, highlighting the importance of being cautious about this mosquito-borne infection, especially in dogs that have traveled abroad. Pet owners should be aware of the risks associated with foreign travel and monitor their pets for any unusual symptoms.
People also search for: dog skin problems after travel · Dirofilaria repens symptoms in dogs · mosquito-borne infections in pets
Abstract
Although not as pathogenic as Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens is nonetheless capable of causing chronic skin and ocular disease in dogs, and is also a significant zoonotic pathogen. Dirofilaria repens is not currently endemic in the UK but its spread across Europe, together with increased pet travel, is putting more UK dogs at risk of this mosquito-borne infection. This case report considers a dog with a D. repens worm found during routine castration. This is the first case of Dirofilaria repens infection to be reported in the UK and demonstrates the need for vigilance for this parasite in dogs with a history of foreign travel.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2017.22.6.316