Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting and treating eye worm infection in a dog with confocal
By Edelmann, Michele L et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2018·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: In vivo confocal microscopy for detection of subconjunctival Onchocerca lupi infection in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old male mixed-breed dog was brought to the vet with unusual masses in both eyes. After using a special imaging technique called in vivo confocal microscopy, the vet discovered that the masses were caused by a type of parasitic worm called Onchocerca lupi. The dog underwent surgery to remove the masses and was treated with medications including doxycycline, prednisone, and ivermectin. A year later, follow-up imaging showed that the worms were completely gone, and the dog was healthy again.
People also search for: dog eye masses treatment · Onchocerca lupi in dogs · dog eye infection surgery · dog ivermectin treatment · dog eye parasite diagnosis
Abstract
A seven-year-old male castrated mixed-breed dog was diagnosed with bilateral subconjunctival masses. In vivo confocal microscopy facilitated visualization of Onchocerca lupi adult nematodes and their characteristic cuticular morphology. Long, thin, white nematodes were extracted during excisional biopsy. Histopathologic and parasitologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of O. lupi. In addition to surgical debulking of the parasitic granulomas, the dog received systemic doxycycline, prednisone, and ivermectin therapy. In vivo confocal microscopy was repeated one year after initial diagnosis, and no remaining nematodes were visible. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of use of in vivo confocal microscopy as a noninvasive diagnostic and monitoring tool for canine onchocerciasis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29277087/