Nasal eucoleosis in a symptomatic dog from Italy

A dog with chronic muco-purulent nasal discharge, sneezing, reverse sneezing and impaired scenting ability was diagnosed as being affected by nasal eucoleosis based upon rhinoscopic evidence of Eucoleus boehmi in situ, identification of the adult parasites in nasal biopsies, and eggs in the faeces by light and scanning electron microscopy. The dog was successfully treated with a single administration of moxidectin. A second course of moxidectin was required for about 10 weeks after the first treatment, because clinical signs recurred due to a likely re-infection. This second administration, along with measures undertaken to prevent geo- and coprophagic pica, resolved the parasitism, as demonstrated by negative copromicroscopic and rhinoscopic examinations, and prevented reinfestation for the next 4 months. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this represents the first report describing a clinical case of nasal eucoleosis with a demonstration of the adult parasites in situ in a dog from Italy where, until recently, infestation of E. boehmi was only detected by a coprological examination. Veterinarians and parasitologists should be aware of the occurrence of canine infection with E. boehmi. They should include this parasite in the differential diagnoses for animals suffering from upper airway distress and look systematically for it during rhinoscopic and copromicroscopic examinations.