Fading Puppy Syndrome Associated with Toxocara canis Infection

Abstract

Aim of this work was studying the role of Toxocara canis infection in fading puppy syndrome and evaluating its treatment. Twelve German shepherd puppies suffered from fading puppy syndrome and their dam were presented. The dead puppies (N.=8) were necropsied. On the other hand, living puppies (N.=4) and their dam were examined both clinically and parasitologically. The collected worms from necropsied puppies were parasitologically identified as Toxocara canis and their counts ranged from 48 to 75 per puppy. The live cases were treated by Flubendazole. The parasitological examinations of stool of live puppies and dam revealed eggs identified as Toxocara canis eggs and their counts ranged from 50 to 350 eggs per gram stool. Post-treatment counts of Toxocara canis worms in stool of live puppies and their dam were ranged from 13 to 79 worms per animal. The results of treatment proved the efficacy of Flubendazole for eradication of Toxocara canis. Toxocara canis considers one of the causes of fading puppy syndrome and could be cured by Flubendazole .