Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Kidney worm infection and kidney removal in a domestic cat
By Butti, M J et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports·2019·Cá·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dioctophyme renale in a domestic cat (Felis catus): Renal location and nephrectomy.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A domestic cat was brought in feeling generally unwell, with symptoms including blood in the urine and mild diarrhea. An ultrasound revealed issues with the right kidney, leading to surgery where the kidney was removed. During the operation, a large worm was found inside the kidney, identified as Dioctophyme renale, a type of parasitic nematode. After the surgery, the cat's condition improved, confirming that cats can host this parasite.
People also search for: cat blood in urine · cat kidney surgery · Dioctophyme renale in cats · cat feeling unwell causes
Abstract
Dioctophymosis is caused by Dioctophyme renale, nematode with indirect life cycle. Its intermediate host is a freshwater oligochaete and its definitive host is a wild or household carnivore. The adult nematode develops in the definite host, generally locating itself in the kidney. This article was meant to describe the first nephrectomy performed in a domestic cat due to renal dioctophymosis in Argentina. The subject showed a non-specific appearance of generally feeling ill, hematuria and mild diarrhea. It was diagnosed through abdominal ultrasound, followed by exploratory celiotomy and nephrectomy. After verifying absence of free specimens, the right kidney was removed. This organ was found to be enlarged in a spheroidal manner in contrast to the left kidney, with significant thickening of the renal capsule, excessive congestion of vessels and adhesions involving the caudal vena cava. An adult nematode was removed from the right kidney and identified as Dioctophyme renale. Reports of feline dioctophymosis are scarce being most of them necropsy findings. In this we are presenting a confirmed case of D. renale removed by surgery from a live cat. The results presented here reinforces the fact that cats are also appropriate definitive hosts for this parasite.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31796187/