Irreversible ocular lesions in a dog with Angiostrongylus vasorum infection

Abstract This report describes a 10 month-old dog with a sudden loss of vision and severe dyspnoea. The ocular examination revealed bilateral panuveitis, lens subluxation, secondary glaucoma and retinal detachment. In addition, the ocular ultrasound showed in the vitreous body of the right eye, a small doubled-lined foreign body compatible with an intraocular parasite. Radiographs of the thorax revealed an increased opacity with mixed lung pattern (alveolar and bronchial) and thoracic ultrasonography showed several subpleural nodules. The presence of Angiostrongylus vasorum first stage (L1) larvae was confirmed with 324 larvae per gram (LPG) of faeces and an antigen test for the parasite (AngioDetect, IDEXX) also yielded a positive result. The severe and irreversible ocular lesions described in this case enhanced the complexity of the clinical picture of canine angiostrongylosis. Infection with the parasite should be included in the list differential diagnoses for ocular uveitis to avoid potentially serious complications related to a missed or delayed diagnosis.