Thelazia callipaeda ocular infection in two dogs in Belgium

Nematode worms were retrieved from the left eyes of two dogs presented for unilateral ocular discharge in Belgium. Morphological and molecular identification were performed and the parasites were identified as Thelazia callipaeda. The history suggested that the infection had been acquired in south-western France and southern Italy where the disease has been observed regularly for the last 6 and 12 years, respectively. In these two regions, the disease is considered endemic and spreading. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of canine thelaziosis in Belgium.