Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Strongyloides parasite infection and follow-up in a dog from Italy
By Cagnasso, Federica et al.·Published in Veterinaria italiana·2023·Department of Veterinary Sciences, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Strongyloides stercoralis infection and long-term follow-up in a privately-owned dog from north-west of Italy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 8-month-old French Bulldog was brought to the vet for a chronic cough, diarrhea, and poor body condition. After some tests, the vet found a parasitic infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, which can lead to serious health issues like protein loss and lung problems. Initially, the dog was treated with fenbendazole, but it didn't help much. However, after two doses of ivermectin given two weeks apart, the dog's symptoms improved significantly, and follow-up tests showed no signs of the parasite.
People also search for: dog chronic cough treatment · French Bulldog diarrhea causes · Strongyloides stercoralis in dogs · ivermectin for dog parasites
Abstract
Strongyloides stercoralis is a zoonotic parasite, infecting human, cats and dogs. The infection is typical of tropical and subtropical areas, while it is underestimated in temperate countries. In Europe, data from humans demonstrate a large variability of infection prevalence; while scarce literature is available for dogs, with most cases reported in kennel dogs from southern Italy. A privately owned 8-month-old French Bulldog was examined because of chronic cough, diarrhea, and poor body conditions. Radiography of the thorax revealed a diffuse bronchial pattern and abdominal ultrasound showed unspecific signs of inflammation. Cytological analysis of a rectal swab revealed the presence of larvae compatible with Strongyloides sp. A parasitic infection causing protein-losing enteropathy and bronchopneumonia was suspected and fenbendazole was administered with a poor clinical response. Fecal Baermann test revealed S. stercoralis rhabditiform larvae and thinshelled eggs. Clinical signs resolved progressively after two subcutaneous ivermectin administrations (off-label) given two weeks apart. Serial coprological controls scheduled in the following 6 months were negative for larvae and eggs. Fecal real-time PCR confirmed negative results 6 months after treatment. The authors describe for the first time a case of S. stercoralis infection in a privately-owned dog from north-west of Italy (Piedmont).
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38989626/