TOXOCARIASIS IN PUPPY - MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION AND CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Abstract

A 34-day-old, male Bully pup was presented in veterinary clinics with an uncertain anamnestic history of anorexia, lethargy, abdominal pain, and discomfort. On clinical examination, the pup had pale conjunctiva with a pot-bellied appearance and expelled cream-colored roundworms in feces. Blood and fecal samples were collected and analyzed. Hemoglobin and PCV values were lower, depicting anemia. A qualitative and quantitative examination of the fecal sample was carried out and results showed infection with Toxocara canis with fecal egg count (FEC) of 3200/gram of feces. Gross and light microscopic examination revealed the presence of adults of Toxocara canis with distinctive morphological features. Apropos, the pup was treated with a combination of pyrantel pamoate and fenbendazole orally @10mg/kg body weight, repeated after 14 days. The pup recovered successfully, as evidenced by decreased FECs, increased weight gain, and a high hematocrit score.

Keywords

• toxocara canis
• pup
• roundworms
• morphology
• pyrantel pomate
• febental