Dicrocoeliosis in cats and dogs

Abstract

This paper is the first report of clinical cases of dicrocoeliosis in cats and dogs. In cats, symptoms manifested as inappetence, diarrhoea, loss of weight, changes of hair coat, and, in particular, conjunctivitis with mucoserous discharge and prolapse of the third eyelid. In dogs, clinical symptoms manifested with alteration of the digestive apparatus (anorexia, increased peristalsis, vomiting and diarrhoea), loss of weight, jaundice and skin lesions (pruritus, alopecia and dermatitis interdigitalis). The performance of all working dogs was reduced significantly. Both in dogs and cats, a reliable diagnosis is only possible through repeated coprological examination and demonstration of Dicrocoelium eggs. As far as the therapeutic procedures are concerned, albendazole administered for four days was only found fully effective in the cat as well as in the dog, in which praziquantel for 4-5 days was also sufficient.