Double trouble: renal dioctophymosis and chronic diaphragmatic hernia in an asymptomatic dog treated laparoscopically

Dioctophymosis, caused by the nematode Dioctophyme renale, is a parasitic disease that leads to progressive destruction of the renal parenchyma and is most effectively treated with surgical nephrectomy. Chronic diaphragmatic hernias are characterized by defects in the diaphragm, most commonly associated with traumatic events, and require surgical correction. Although both conditions can be managed using minimally invasive techniques, laparoscopic approaches remain uncommon in veterinary practice, and there are no previous reports of combined surgical treatment of these two conditions in a single procedure. This report describes the first case of simultaneous laparoscopic management of renal dioctophymosis and chronic diaphragmatic hernia in a 10-year-old asymptomatic dog. The patient was diagnosed with D. renale infestation in the right kidney through abdominal ultrasonography and underwent a three-port laparoscopic nephrectomy. During the procedure, a diaphragmatic defect with herniation of perirenal fat was incidentally identified and repaired using a barbed suture. The surgery was completed successfully without the need for conversion to an open approach. Postoperative recovery was favorable, despite transient hypoglycemia-associated seizures, and the dog was discharged four days after surgery. Laparoscopy proved to be a safe, minimally invasive, and effective option for the simultaneous treatment of renal dioctophymosis and chronic diaphragmatic hernia in dogs.