OCCURRENCE OF THELAZIA CALLIPAEDA AND TOXOCARA CATI IN AN IMPORTED EUROPEAN LYNX (LYNX LYNX) IN JAPAN

• Published in: Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
• Main Authors: Khaled El-Dakhly, Shawky Abo El-Hadid, Hirofumi Shimizu, El-Shaymaa El-Nahass, Atsuko Murai, Hiroki Sakai, Tokuma Yanai
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 2012
• Subjects: Lynx; Lynx lynx lynx
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1638/2011-0086R2.1

A necropsy was performed on an adult European lynx, Lynx lynx (Linnaeus, 1758), held in captivity until its death, to determine level of parasitism. Examination of the eyes revealed the oriental eyeworm, Thelazia callipaeda, in the conjunctival sac and the third eyelid of both eyes. The species was confirmed by location and morphology. Intact worms were fixed, mounted, and identified. Examination of the alimentary tract revealed the common ascaroid nematode, Toxocara cati. Species was confirmed by the arrow-like anterior end. One hundred and forty-one adult worms were collected. The presence of these nematodes indicated the importance of eliminating the contact of zoo animals with Amiota spp. vectors and to prevent contamination with the infective T. cati eggs.