Cutaneous periocular Habronema infection in a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

A 6-year-old castrated dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) presented with a non-healing, severely pruritic, ulcerative fibrotic plaque located at the medial canthus. Histological examination of surgical biopsies identified degenerating nematode larvae within eosinophilic granulomas. Treatment involved repeated debridement of the lesion, injectable ivermectin and anti-inflammatory therapies, and injectable and topical antibiotics. A specially constructed mask with goggles to prevent the camel from continuing to self-traumatize the eye and lesion was also placed. Full recovery occurred approximately 1 month after diagnosis. Because of the location of the lesion, time of year, the gross and microscopic characteristics of the lesion, the presence of a likely nematode larva and the response to treatment, a diagnosis of cutaneous habronemiasis was made.