Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Microfilaria in dogs and cat - causes and treatments
By Santhosh, Keerthana et al.·Published in Topics in companion animal medicine·2026·Department of Veterinary Pathology, India·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Microfilaruria of morphologically identified Dirofilaria repens and Brugia spp. in one cat and two dogs: Case series.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old dog with a urinary tract infection was found to have microfilariae (tiny larvae) in its urine, likely due to its diabetes affecting the urinary system. In another case, a cat experienced microfilariae after a urethral obstruction caused by trauma. Both pets were treated with a combination of medications, including anthelmintics to target the parasites and antibiotics for the infections. The treatment was successful, and both pets received supportive care to help them recover. This highlights the importance of checking urine samples thoroughly for unusual findings, especially in pets with other health issues.
People also search for: dog urinary tract infection treatment · cat urethral obstruction symptoms · diabetes in dogs and urinary issues
Abstract
Microfilaruria is an uncommon parasitological finding in veterinary practice. This report describes three clinically distinct cases of microfilaruria in companion animals from Kerala, India, an endemic region for canine filariasis. Case 1 involved a dog with dual infection by morphologically identified Dirofilaria repens and Brugia spp., associated with hemorrhagic cystitis and hypermicrofilaremia. Case 2 involved a diabetic dog with E. coli urinary tract infection, in which microfilariae were detected in the urine sediment, likely due to glycosuria-induced epithelial compromise. This represents the first documented case of microfilaruria in a dog with concurrent diabetes mellitus. Case 3 documented the first reported occurrence of microfilaruria due to D. repens in a cat, which was likely triggered by trauma-induced urethral obstruction. All cases were managed with targeted therapy based on the primary diagnosis, combining anthelmintics, antibiotics, supportive care, and metabolic regulation. These cases suggest that microfilaruria may occur via various mechanisms, including inflammation-induced uroepithelial disruption, glomerular leakage, or local trauma. Molecular confirmation (e.g., PCR) was not performed; hence, definitive differentiation between D. repens and D. asiatica was challenging and represents a limitation of this study. The paper emphasizes the critical importance of routine, thorough urine sediment examination, even in atypical species like cats, and in animals with concurrent systemic or metabolic disorders. Early recognition of such unusual presentations may aid in timely intervention and broaden our understanding of filarial infections in veterinary clinical practice.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41448351/