Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment of a granuloma caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2001
- Authors:
- Pearce, S G et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Studies · Canada
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old Arabian gelding had a growth called a granuloma caused by a type of roundworm known as Halicephalobus gingivalis, located near his left eye. Fortunately, the worm had not spread to his kidneys or brain. The horse was treated with a medication called ivermectin, given every two weeks for a total of three doses, and the granuloma was surgically reduced just two days after the first treatment. After 18 months, the granuloma completely resolved, and there was no sign of the worm infection. Overall, the treatment was successful.
Abstract
A 12-year-old Arabian gelding with a granuloma caused by the nematode Halicephalobus gingivalis caudal and dorsal to the left orbit was examined. There was no evidence of dissemination of the nematode to the kidneys or the CNS, and the horse was treated with ivermectin (1.2 mg/kg [0.55 mg/lb] of body weight, p.o., every 2 weeks for 3 treatments). The granuloma was surgically debulked 2 days after the first dose of ivermectin. The granuloma resolved with no evidence of nematode infection after 18 months. Halicephalobus gingivalis is a ubiquitous saprophytic nematode that has been reported to infect humans and horses. The nematode may form granulomas in the integument or may disseminate to various organs with a tropism for the CNS and kidneys. Once clinical signs of CNS involvement develop, the disease is rapidly fatal.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11767925/