Intradural Dirofilariasis in a Dog with Chronic Cervical Pain

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Parasitology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Recurrent cervical spinal pain in dogs can stem from various causes.
• Intradural spinal lesions are uncommon and require accurate diagnosis.

Observation:

• A 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier presented with a 5-month history of cervical spinal pain.
• Neurologic examination revealed no deficits, and initial diagnostics were unremarkable.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified a contrast-enhancing intradural extramedullary lesion at C2.

Findings:

• Surgical exploration revealed a live, adult Dirofilaria immitis nematode within the dura mater at the C2 level.
• The nematode was successfully removed, and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis.
• This case represents a novel instance of intradural Dirofilaria immitis infection in a canine.

Implications:

• This case expands the differential diagnoses for spinal pain in dogs to include unusual parasitic infections.
• MRI is crucial for characterizing intradural spinal lesions, aiding surgical planning.
• Successful surgical intervention for intradural parasites can lead to complete clinical recovery.