Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
First confirmed case of eye worm infection in a dog in Estonia
By Sisask, Kristi et al.·Published in Acta veterinaria Scandinavica·2026·Small Animal Clinic·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: First molecularly confirmed case of canine thelaziosis due to Thelazia callipaeda infection in Estonia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-year-old Swiss White Shepherd was brought to the vet with a watery discharge and redness in her left eye after traveling through several European countries. The vet found moving, threadlike worms in her eye, which were identified as Thelazia callipaeda, a type of parasite that can affect dogs and humans. The treatment involved carefully removing the worms and giving her medication to eliminate any remaining parasites. After treatment, her eye improved significantly, and there were no further signs of infection.
People also search for: dog eye discharge treatment · Swiss White Shepherd eye problems · Thelazia callipaeda in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Thelazia callipaeda is a zoonotic vector-borne nematode primarily affecting carnivores, lagomorphs, and humans. Over the past decades, the parasite has expanded across Europe. This report presents the first molecularly confirmed case of canine thelaziosis in Estonia. The findings highlight the urgent need for increased awareness of T. callipaeda among veterinarians, human medical professionals, and pet owners, as this parasite poses an important public health concern. CASE PRESENTATION: A 6-year-old spayed female Swiss White Shepherd, with a recent travel history to several European countries, including the Baltic countries, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, and Sweden, was presented to the Small Animal Clinic of Estonian University of Life Sciences with unilateral ocular discharge and hyperaemia. Ophthalmic examination revealed the presence of motile, threadlike nematodes in the left eye. The treatment involved manual removal of nematodes and oral administration of milbemycin oxime/praziquantel twice with 1 week interval in combination with topical lubrication. Follow-up examinations revealed significant improvement in ocular health, with no further signs of infection. The nematodes were identified as T. callipaeda based on molecular analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of obtaining a comprehensive travel history in veterinary ophthalmology and emphasizes the emerging risk of T. callipaeda in non-endemic regions, especially with increased pet travel. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for successful management. Preventive measures, such as antiparasitic treatment before and during travel, are essential to reduce the risk of transmission. The growing concern of T. callipaeda spread is further supported by previous ecological niche model predictions, suggesting the potential for the vector's geographic expansion across Europe.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41935265/