Schistosomiasis in the United States.

Abstract

Canine schistosomiasis is a well-established cause of a granulomatous enteropathy and hepatopathy in dogs. In a small subset of patients, infection triggers significant hypercalcemia. Clinical signs and clinicopathologic findings are fairly nonspecific but ultrasonographic evidence of heterogenous small intestinal wall layering and pin-point hyperechoic foci in bowel, nodes, and liver is highly suggestive of infection. A sensitive, commercially available, fecal polymerase chain reaction test can be used to establish the diagnosis. Treatment protocols rely on praziquantel with fenbendazole. Most dogs will recover, although retreatment may be necessary in a substantial proportion. Housemates should be screened as infection can be asymptomatic.