DIOCTOPHYMA RENALE IN DOGS: CASE REPORTS

Abstract

Dioctophyma renale is popularly known as the "giant kidney worm", its occurrence has already been reported in several countries, being the largest nematode described parasitizing animals. The right kidney is presented as an organ of predilection for the parasite, but there are reports of it being found in other locations. It is a pathology described as asymptomatic, and the presence of the parasite is found mainly accidentally, in surgical procedures and necropsies. Thus, the present study aimed to report four cases of dioctophimosis in domestic dogs living in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, two of which were located in the right kidney and the other two in the abdominal cavity, in addition to addressing the morphology of the parasite, its biological cycle, pathophysiology, as well as its forms of diagnosis and treatment.