Canine ocular onchocerciasis: a retrospective review of the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of 16 cases in New Mexico (2011-2015).
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical exam findings, treatment and outcomes of 16 dogs diagnosed with ocular onchocerciasis in New Mexico.


METHODS
Records of dogs diagnosed by the primary author were reviewed (2011-2015). Records that were accessible and included a diagnosis of Onchocerca lupi by histopathologic or molecular identification of the nematode were included.


RESULTS
Sixteen cases were included. 3/16 dogs were treated with year-round heartworm prophylaxis prior to infection. Clinical exam findings included conjunctival hyperemia and/or episcleral injection (16/16), focal subconjunctival mass(es) (14/16), retinal detachment (7/16), corneal edema (4/16), chemosis (3/16), corneal opacity (2/16), exophthalmia (1/16), glaucoma (1/16), strabismus (1/16), blepharospasm (1/16), and vitreal degeneration (1/16). Ocular involvement was unilateral in 7/16 dogs and bilateral in 9/16 dogs. The diagnosis was confirmed via histologic identification of the nematodes and/or PCR. Treatment consisted of medical management or a combination medical and surgical management. Known or suspected recurrence of disease was documented in 10 dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
Canine ocular onchocerciasis is endemic in New Mexico. Histopathology and molecular identification are useful diagnostic tools. Medical management alone was successful in many cases.
Ophthalmology, VCA Veterinary Care Animal Hospital and Referral Center, 9901 Montgomery Boulevard NE, 87111, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Nancy Johnstone
NJ
McLean
Anatomic Pathobiology, Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Room A205, 37996-4542, Knoxville, TN, USA.
Kimberly
K
Newkirk
Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, University of New Mexico, Castetter Hall Biology MSC03 2020, 87112-0001, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Coenraad M
CM
Adema
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009516:New Mexico; D009854:Onchocerca / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015827:Onchocerciasis, Ocular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies

Onchocerca lupi
; New Mexico; canine; ocular; onchocercosis; parasite