CAPILLARIA PLICA IN AN ASYMPTOMATIC FELINE – AN ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDING

Resumo

The aim of this report was to describe a case of urinary capilariosis in a feline and an ultrasonographic finding of Capillaria plica in the urinary bladder. A female feline, 14-years-old, was seen presenting a history of weight loss and anorexia for five days. A hemogram, renal and hepatic serum biochemistry, total protein dosages and albumin and urinalysis were performed. The urinalysis showed dark yellow urine, elevated density, turbid aspect, proteinuria, hematuria, cylindruria, presence of leucocytes and bacteria. The microscopic examination of the urinary sediment revealed the presence of oval and colourless eggs with a thick capsule and bioperculated, characterized as being of C. plica. Treatment with levamisole was carried out, however some of the parasites’ eggs were still verified after the therapy. An abdominal ultrasonography was performed being visualized, in the urinary bladder, a filiform mobile hyperechoic structure of 0.59 cm of length and 0.28 of thickness, besides a thickening of the organ’s wall. Ivermectine was administered at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg, IM. After this treatment, C. plica eggs were no longer found in the urinary sediment. The ultrasonographic examination of the urinary bladder may be a good tool for the confirmation of the diagnosis in these cases.