Treatment of E. boehmi Infection in a Mixed-Breed Dog Using Milbemycin Oxime

Abstract

Numerous bipolar plugged capillarid eggs were detected on a routine centrifugal fecal flotation examination of a 2 yr old castrated male boxer-Chinese shar pei mixed-breed. The eggs were identified as Eucoleus boehmi (E. boehmi), the nasal capillarid, based on size and shell wall surface morphology. The dog had a history of chronic sneezing (> 5 times/day) and intermittent postexercise nasal discharge. Currently, there are no anthelmintics approved for use in dogs for the treatment of E. boehmi. Treatment of the dog with 0.5-1 mg/kg milbemycin oxime was ineffective, but treatment with 2 mg/kg milbemycin oxime resulted in negative fecal examinations 7-28 days and 5 mo posttreatment. The dog's postexertion nasal discharge greatly lessened, and the sneezing behavior improved (it was only noted 2-3 times/wk), but neither the discharge nor sneezing completely resolved following the anthelmintic treatments. Use of milbemycin oxime at an increased dose (2 mg/kg) appeared to be an effective treatment against E. boehmi infection in this dog based on clinical response and the cessation of fecal egg shedding.