Insights into the silent cause of death in dogs, the carcinogenic nematode

The carcinogenic dog nematode, Spirocerca lupi, is a canine causative agent of the oesophagal nodular granuloma. Worldwide availability of the biological host (beetle) and the presence of some environmental factors help in the comprehensive epidemiology of this nodular forming nematode. Coprologically, it depends on the presence and characteristics of the rhabdiform larvae in most nematodes due to the similarity in egg shape. In contrast, in the case of the presence of carcinogenic nematodes, the morphological appearance of the eggs is definitive for diagnosis, which can be detected by flotation and sedimentation techniques in the faecal examination to detect the gastrointestinal parasites. The morphological identification of the parasite's eggs in the dog's faecal samples requires more confirmation by molecular and specific gene amplification. They should be aware of the possibility of a spirurid worm infection, which needs to be diagnosed and treated.