Ocular nematodes (conjunctival sucking nematodes, also known as Oriental nematodes) are common parasites of dogs and are milky white with a serrated transverse pattern and 7-17 mm long. Some of the larvae are milky white until they are fully developed into adults and are not easy to spot, but when the nematode wanders into the black eye it can be seen very clearly. In addition to infecting dogs, this worm can also infect people, making it a zoonotic parasite. If left untreated, the number of worms can grow from the initial number to several hundred, and the infected host can become blind. Etiology The ocular nematode develops and spreads through intermediate hosts, the flies. The female produces larvae with sheaths in the third eyelid of the terminal host, which are swallowed by the fly and invade the fly to develop into infective L3 after 2 molts and migrate into the fly’s mouthparts. However, when the fly licks and sucks the eye of the final host, the larvae invade its conjunctival sac and develop into adults through 2 more molts. It takes about 35 days from infection to egg laying by the adult pups, and the adult worms can live in the eye for up to 1 year. Symptoms Because the nematode is freely moving, it can cause mechanical damage to the dog’s eye, and affected dogs and patients show signs of conjunctivitis. Subconjunctival nematodes are characterized by conjunctival congestion, moist eyes, and photophobia and tearing. It then progresses to chronic conjunctivitis, with viscous droppings and subfoveal enlargement and hemorrhage. Severe cases can cause corneal clouding, corneal ulcers and sores, and even lead to blindness. Diagnosis is relatively simple: abnormal watery eyes, a sudden increase in eye droppings, turning over the eyelids and finding a small “white woolly thread” looking worm that twists and turns, will basically confirm the diagnosis. If you find that your dog is infected with eye worms, don’t worry, after all, it is not an acute disease and has been infected for three or four weeks, go to the hospital and get a deworming drops, 1-2 times to kill. The more troublesome part is that the killed worms need to be taken out. Turn over the eyelid, if you can see it, use a cotton swab to rub it out, if you can’t see it, you need eye drops to flush it. Prevention 1. Ensure that the home environment is clean and hygienic, eliminate flies and disinfect the house regularly to ensure that the dog at home is not infected. 2. Regularly take your dog to the hospital for in vivo and in vitro deworming. Note that the home disinfection to use pet odor disinfectant, to prevent dogs licking affect health.
