A case report of Dioctophyma renale in the peritoneal cavity of a stray dog

Abstract

<em>Dioctophyma renale</em> (giant kidney worm), is an uncommon parasitic roundworm that may affect both humans and other mammals. This study reports a case of parasitism by the <em>Dioctophyma renale</em> in the peritoneal cavity with both sexes of worms in a stray dog from East Azerbaijan, Iran. A male adult stray dog was taken to the Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. Clinical signs were suggestive of a case of peritonitis. During necropsy, two brownish-red nematodes, were found in the abdominal cavity and was identified as male and female adult <em>D. renale</em>. Adult male worm measured up to 35 cm x 6-7 mm wide, and female was up to 36 cm x 7-9 mm wide. This study reports the first confirmed case of dioctophymatosis with both sexes of worms in the dog. The parasite's aberrant location in the peritoneal cavity suggests that the dog is not a suitable host.