TY - JOUR AU - MYLONAKIS (Μ.Ε. ΜΥΛΩΝΑΚΗΣ), M. E. AU - KOUTINAS (Α.Φ. ΚΟΥΤΙΝΑΣ), A. F. AU - RALLIS (Τ. ΡΑΛΛΗΣ), T. PY - 2017/12/19 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - New aspects on canine spirocercosis JF - Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society JA - J Hellenic Vet Med Soc VL - 54 IS - 4 SE - Review Articles DO - 10.12681/jhvms.15344 UR - https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/jhvms/article/view/15344 SP - 347-350 AB - <p><em><span lang="EN-US">Spirocerca lupi </span></em><span lang="EN-US">is a nematode parasite of carnivores affecting mainly the dog. Although </span><em><span lang="EN-US">S. lupi </span></em><span lang="EN-US">infection is often asymptomatic, esophageal granulomas and/or sarcomas, aortic aneurysms, thoracic discospondylitis or spondylosis deformans, hypertrophic osteopathy and salivary gland necrosis may be detected in various combinations upon the necropsy of dogs, originating from the endemic areas. When spirocercosis turns symptomatic, regurgitation, vomiting, odynophagia, hypersalivation, progressive loss of body weight, dyspnea and episodic melena are the most common clinical signs noticed. Diagnosis will be confirmed by fecal examination (egg detection), using flotation or sedimentation techniques, thoracic radiography (posterior mediestinal mass, vertebral lesions) and especially esophagoscopy, which allows the direct visualization of </span><em><span lang="EN-US">S. lupi </span></em><span lang="EN-US">nodules either granulomatous or neoplastic. Avermectins, such as doramectin and ivermectin, have been emerged as promising medications in the treatment and possibly in the prevention of canine spirocercosis. Their use, in both the spontaneous and experimental disease, has resulted in the remission of esophageal dysphagia, complete or partial regression of esophageal parasitic granulomas and cessation of egg shedding.</span></p> ER -