Diagnosis and Management of Spirocercosis in a Beagle Dog: A Case Report

A 2-year-old male Beagle was presented to the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar with a history of anorexia, chronic vomiting, fever, persistent vocalisation and poor response to regular anti-emetic and antacid treatment for the past three months. On clinical examination, the dog exhibited intermittent vomiting, lethargy and significant weight loss. Initial diagnostics on complete blood count showed mild leucocytosis, though serum biochemistry showed no remarkable abnormalities. To investigate the persistent gastrointestinal signs, endoscopic imaging was performed, which identified a fixed glistening, space-occupying nodules in the distal thoracic oesophagus. Faecal examination further confirmed the presence of Spirocerca lupi eggs, leading to a definitive diagnosis of spirocercosis. The Dog was treated with subcutaneous injections of Doramectin administered every 14 days for 3 occasions along with other supportive therapy, including Ceftriaxone-Tazobactam, Ondansetron, Pantoprazole, Phenobarbitone sodium and fluid for hydration. This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and targeted treatment of spirocercosis, as delay can lead to life-threatening complications like oesophageal obstruction or neoplastic transformation. The successful recovery in this case highlights the importance of considering Spirocerca lupi infection in cases of chronic vomiting unresponsive to conventional therapy, particularly in endemic regions.