Spirocercosis in a stray dog in Matola city, Southern Mozambique

Abstract

This report describes the clinical and post mortem findings of a case of spirocercosis in a stray dogin Matola City, southern Mozambique. On clinical examination, the animal presented poor bodycondition, depression, dehydration, anorexia, dysphagia, and was reluctant to move. During necropsythe distal third of the thoracic esophagus presented three nodules with diameters of 3.5, 2.5 and 1.5cm, containing Spirocerca lupi adult worms. The diagnosis of spirocercosis was based on necropsyfindings, coproparasitological results and histopathological examination of the lesions. This casereport emphasizes the importance of performing post mortem examination of stray animals and increases the awareness that spirocercosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in dogspresenting with similar clinical manifestations to those described in this case.