EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE OF CANINE DIOCTOPHIMOSIS

Dioctophimosis is an endoparasitism in dogs caused by Dioctophyma renale, a nematode with indirect life cycle and high zoonotic potential. Infection occurs through ingestion of transitional/paratenic hosts containing infective larvae. The preferred site parasitism the right kidney, although parasite may also be ectopically localized subcutaneous tissue, internal organs, peritoneum, mediastinum. Since are usually infected small number parasites, disease asymptomatic, making diagnosis this clinical veterinary practice rather difficult. In addition, as which makes diagnosing long prepatent period, lasting three to five months, it impossible diagnose younger than six months. Clinical suspicion dioctophimosis established on basis anamnestic/epizootiologic data picture, while final made ante mortem or post reliable diagnostic parameters methods. most practical application routine canine detection D. renale eggs urine sediment. When suspected carnivores, differential should exclude urinary capillariosis, feline polycystic nephropathy, leptospirosis, renal fibrosis, nephritis various etiology. outcome treatment uncertain includes surgical removal affected kidney drug therapy avermectin derivatives. Prophylaxis consists preventing contact potential transitional controlling feeding their heat-untreated meat. Because risks that have health dog owners, education etiopathogenesis means occurrence, maintenance, spread necessary.