Research Journal for Veterinary Practitioners

Download PDF Download ePUB
 Case Report

Case Report

Research Journal for Veterinary Practitioners. 2 (3): 42 – 43

Gut Obstructive Toxocariasis in a Puppy

Muhammad Ahaduzzaman1*, Al Amin2, Mohammed Ashif Imtiaz2, Muhammad Mizanur Rahman1

  1. Department of Medicine & Surgery, Chittagong Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (CVASU), Bangladesh
  2. Department of Physiology, Biochemistry & Pharmacology, Chittagong Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (CVASU), Bangladesh

*Corresponding author:zaman.cvasu@gmail.com

ARTICLE CITATION: Ahaduzzaman M, Amin A, Imtiaz MA and Rahman MM (2014). Gut obstructive toxocariasis in a puppy. Res. J. Vet. Pract. 2 (3): 42 – 43.
Received: 2014–01–17, Revised: 2014–01–26, Accepted: 2014–01–29
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at ( http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/journal.rjvp/2014/2.3.42.43 ) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

ABSTRACT

Toxocara spp. are common resident of intestine especially in puppies reared in unhygienic condition devoid of deworming. A gut obstructive case was found as sequel of Toxocara canis in a 2.5 months old puppy manifested by obstipation and distended abdomen. Oral administration of pyrantel pamoate (@5mg/kg B.W) and magnesium hydroxide @ 5ml (total dose) with other supportive therapy was found effective. Reported therapy can be implemented as alternative for surgery in gut obstructive case.

Toxocariasis is a globally important gastrointestinal parasitic disease of canids particularly a young ones that frequently acquire infection through contaminated environment extensively by ingestion of infective ova from infected one and exposing paratenic hosts (Strube et al., 2013). The infestation could be occurred from contact with contaminated soil, dirty hand, raw vegetables and nutrition disorder such as pica has also an important role in the infestation with Toxocara spp. (Tavassoli et al., 2012). The risk of environmental contamination and subsequent infection in offspring increases with infected definitive hosts shedding ova into the environment. Infection rates in Europe range from 3.5% to 34% among T. canis infected dogs from different environments (Lee et al., 2010). The well established clinical symptoms of this disease include anorexia, weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mild fever, anemia, bloat (due to obstruction of the alimentary tract) and increased irritability. In Chittagong district of Bangladesh the highest seasonal prevalence of Toxocariasis found 35.71% in stray dogs during the summer season (Das et al., 2012). It seems to be an emerging problem in puppies as comparison to other enteric parasites as infections with intestinal nematodes are less frequently diagnosed in hospitalized patients despite that they are quite common. The therapeutic issue is a matter of great controversy not only because of inadequate availability, limited potency of anthelmintic drugs in terms of parasite eradication, but also because of confusion about the benefits of therapy as most Toxocara infections are self–limiting like few other enteric nematode (Othman, 2012). Many animal studies were conducted employing different drugs, regimens and conditions, yet the results were variable and inconsistent. Therefore, current investigation was carried out to find the therapeutic outcome of intestinal obstruction and complications due to Toxocara canis.


A 2.5 months old non–descriptive puppy (young dog) was admitted to the S.A.Q. Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong, Bangladesh, with a history of anorexia, vomiting with worm (single time) and absence of voiding for 48 hours with no deworming history. Clinical examination revealed that the puppy heart rates 120 bpm (beats per minute) and 990F rectal temperature with respiration rates 23 breaths/minute. Physical examination found pale mucous membrane, mild dehydration (CRT=3 seconds) and abdominal distention (Figure 1).

Fecal sample was collected by using rectal swab and direct smear was made to perform the coproscopy under the light microscope. On coproscopy characteristics eggs of Toxocara canis were found, that confirmed by ova morphology (Figure 2). Other parasites or their eggs were not observed (except Toxocara canis) in further coproscopy of fecal sample by adopting floatation and sedimentation techniques. On the basis of clinical signs/symptoms and coproscopy findings it was confirmed that puppy was infected with Toxocara canis.

The puppy was treated with orally Pyrantel pamoate (Delentin syrupR, 50mg/ml, Renata Ltd., Bangladesh) @5mg/kg body weight for single time and repeated dose two weeks apart to prevent re–infection; Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of magnesiaR, 40mg/ml, Acme Pharmaceutical Ltd., Bangladesh) @ 5ml orally at a time as laxative, intravenous 5% dextrose normal saline @ 30ml for two consecutive day for mimicking dehydration and providing energy and intramuscular vitamin B–complex (B50 Injection, Square pharma. Ltd., Bangladesh) @ 1ml/day for five days to combat anemia and weakness. Following therapy defecation occurred after three hours with expulsion of Toxocara canis with feces. In follow up there was no further complication observed.

Toxocara is the ubiquitous parasite and infected animals may have mild symptoms included nausea and intermittent abdominal discomfort. Some animals remain asymptomatic or develop organ specific signs. Therefore, coproscopy is suggested as easily approached rapid clinical diagnostic technique as supported by Khuroo (2003). A retrospective parasitological examination was conducted by Barutzki and Schaper (2011) of dog faecal samples and found significantly higher infection rate in the age group up to 3 months of age that agreed with our study puppy age.

Functional obstipation is one of the most common, frustrating and durable pediatric gastrointestinal disorders prod by a great extent including enteric parasite. Treatment of functional obstipation is often based on experience rather than evidence (Tabbers and Benninga, 2013). Therapeutic selection of laxatives may vary across regions and countries. The most relevant laxative groups are the osmotic salts, sugars and sugar alcohols, macrogol, anthraquinones etc. categorized as both organic and inorganic compounds. Milk of magnesia is an inorganic laxative and can effectively used in obstipation without any adverse effect, as agreed to the findings of Fanning and Hojat (2011).

Pyrantel pamoate is widely used as a dewormer against round worms in dogs, cats and many other species. It was first launched in the market for the practitioner in the 1970s. Schmid et al. (2010) reported 94.3% efficacy in 20 dogs experimentally infected with Toxocara canis, and 100% efficacy in naturally infected dogs. Since Pyrantel is poorly absorbed by the host's intestine and causes paralysis of the worm and expulsion with void (Mora et al., 2006); so it can be used effectively with purgative for rapid expulsion of worm in non–severe cases prior to surgical approach along with other supportive therapy such as vitamin B–complex as agreed with Katona and Katona–Apte (2008).

Obstruction of alimentary tract due to ascariasis may occur in variety of extent that’s leads to scanty feces, mild colic to bloat, enterotoxaemia, absent of defecation and even death due to functional abnormality. Based on clinical assessment the appropriate therapeutic measures should be taken prior to surgical intervention in serious obstructive cases.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to acknowledge animal owner and staff at Department of Medicine & Surgery, CVASU, Bangladesh.

COMPETING INTEREST STATEMENT

Authors declare that they have no competing interests.

REFERENCES

Barutzki D and Schaper R (2011). Results of Parasitological Examinations of Faecal Samples from Cats and Dogs in Germany between 2003 and 2010. Parasitol. Res.109:S45 – S60.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2402-8
PMid:21739375

Das S, Alim MA, Sikder S, Gupta AD and Masuduzzaman M (2012). Prevalence and worm load of enteric helminthiasis in stray dogs of Chittagong metropolitan, Bangladesh. J. Ank. Uni. Fac. Phar. 23 (3):141–145.

Fanning J and Hojat R (2011). Safety and efficacy of immediate postoperative feeding and bowel stimulation to prevent ileus after major gynecologic surgical procedures. J. Am. Osteopath. Assoc. 111(8): 469–472.
PMid:21862754

Katona P and Katona–Apte J (2008). The interaction between nutrition and infection. Clin. Infect. Dis. 46 (10): 1582–1588.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/587658
PMid:18419494

Khuroo MS (2003). Parasitic diseases of the liver and intestines: ascariasis. Gastroenterol. Clin. Sept. 25:1–23.

Lee AC, Schantz PM, Kazacos KR, Montgomery SP and Bowman DD (2010). Epidemiologic and zoonotic aspects of ascarid infections in dogs and cats. Trends Parasitol. 26:155–161.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2010.01.002
PMid:20172762

Mora NCT, Lavery EAL and Chun HM (2006). Partial small bowel obstruction in a traveler. Clin. Infect. Dis. 43 (2): 256–258.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/505179

Othman AA (2012). Therapeutic battle against larval toxocariasis: Are we still far behind? Acta Trop. 124(3): 171–178.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2012.08.003
PMid:22921951

Schmid K, Rohdich N, Zschiesche E, Kok DJ and Allan MJ (2010). Efficacy, safety and palatability of a new broad–spectrum anthelmintic formulation in dogs. Vet. Rec. 167:647–651.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.c4661
PMid:21257464

Strube C, Heuer L and Janecek E (2013). Toxocara spp. infections in paratenic hosts. Vet. Parasitol. 193: 375– 389.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.12.033
PMid:23312872

Tabbers MM and Benninga MA (2013). Commentary on 'Osmotic and stimulant laxatives for the management of childhood constipation'. Evid. Based Child Health, 8: 110–111.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ebch.1894
PMid:23878125

Tavassoli M, Javadi S, Firozi R, Rezaei F, Khezri AR and Hadian M (2012). Hair contamination of sheep dog and pet dogs with Toxocara cani's eggs. Iranian J. Parasitol. 7 (4):110–115.
PMid:23323100 PMCid:PMC3537479