Diagnosis and treatment of Dioctophyma renale (giant kidney worm) in a German shepherd dog

Subject Areas : Parasitology

Rahim Alizadeh ¹ , Shima Amini Masouleh ² , Amir Mehrabi ³ , Javad Rahnama ⁴ , mohamad shojaei ⁵

1 - Azad university science and research branch
2 - Islamic Azad university,science and research branch
3 - Islamic Azad university,,science and research branch
4 - Islamic Azad university,,science and research branch
5 - Razi vaccine and serum research institute

Received: 2022-12-05 Accepted : 2023-03-08 Published : 2023-02-20

Keywords: kidney, Dog, Dioctophyma renale, German shepherd,

Abstract :

Dioctophyma renale(giant kidney worm) included to the order of Ascaridida and family of Dioctophymatidae is a large nematode that causes a rare disease in dogs and humans. Usually found in a moderate climate. In this clinical report, we observed dioctophymosis in a pure breed of dog. A six years old German shepherd dog was referred to a vet hospital in Tehran, Iran, by a history of hematuria and abdominal pain.As a consequence of clinical examination, hematologic work, ultrasonographic evaluation, and urinalysis, the dictiophymosis was diagnosed. Then by unilateral nephrectomy and removing the D.renale, the dog was ameliorated. This disease is hardly ever diagnosed and treated. Because of the zoonotic property of this illness, diagnosis and treatment before necropsy findings are important. Imaging techniques like as sonography, as well as laboratory tests such as urinanalysis, have been shown to be effective diagnostic tools. According to our knowledge,it is the first report in Iran from a pure breed in a temperate and arid region.