Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eyeworm infection in dogs and cats in France - what to know
By Dorchies, Ph et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2007·Ecole vé, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: First reports of autochthonous eyeworm infection by Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) in dogs and cat from France.
Plain-English summary
A dog and a cat in South Western France were found to have an infection caused by a type of eyeworm called Thelazia callipaeda. The pets showed symptoms like excessive tearing and eye irritation, which can lead to more serious issues like conjunctivitis or corneal ulcers. The infection was confirmed through tests that identified the worms in their eyes. While the exact insect that spreads this eyeworm in France is still unknown, it may be similar to one found in Italy. Both pets will need veterinary care to address the infection and prevent further eye problems.
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Abstract
Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) is a small nematode living in the conjunctival sac of domestic and wild carnivores, rabbits and humans causing lacrimation, epiphora, conjunctivitis, keratitis and even corneal ulcers. The first autochthonous cases of thelaziosis affecting four dogs and one cat living in South Western France (Dordogne area) are reported and described. Nematodes recovered from the animals were morphologically identified as T. callipaeda and a partial region of the cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 gene (cox1) was amplified by PCR from nematode specimens (from two dogs and the cat). In each case, this was shown to have an identical sequence to the haplotype 1 (h1) of T. callipaeda. So far, the arthropod acting as intermediate host of T. callipaeda eyeworms has not been identified in France although it might be Phortica variegata (Steganinae, Drosophilidae) as recently described in Italy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17854998/