This page quotes a published document. Everything below in quotation marks is copied word for word from https://capcvet.org/guidelines/onchocerca-lupi/, published by CAPC and retrieved on 2026-09-16. The quotations are excerpts; the document itself is linked and is the authority. Nothing has been reworded.
This page quotes the Companion Animal Parasite Council guideline for Onchocerca lupi, section by section: the opening sentences of 6 sections, copied without change and linked to the guideline, which was retrieved on 2026-09-16. The guideline itself is the authority and carries the full text.
The guideline
Companion Animal Parasite Council, Onchocerca lupi, at https://capcvet.org/guidelines/onchocerca-lupi/. Retrieved 2026-09-16. Each heading below is the guideline’s own, and the quotation under it is how that section begins. The full section, and the species tabs where the guideline gives them, are on the linked page.
Synopsis
CAPC Recommends Onchocerca lupi is a zoonotic filarial nematode found in ocular and adnexal tissues of dogs and cats. Dogs, cats and humans originating from or with travel history to the southwestern United States, Mariana Islands, Europe and the Mediterranean region should be considered at a heightened risk and suspicion for possible infection with Onchocerca lupi .
Disease
Epidemiological surveys in Europe found that infected dogs are often asymptomatic, with no clinical changes of the eyes if adult worms are localized to the retrobulbar space and likely not detectable by ophthalmic examination. When present, canine ocular onchocerciasis presents with either acute or chronic ocular clinical signs.
Diagnosis
The majority of infected dogs are often asymptomatic especially if development of the adult worms is localized to the retrobulbar space of the eye and not detectable by ophthalmic examination.
Treatment
If possible surgical excision of periocular nodules and cysts to remove adult worms and fragments is recommended but should not be expected to fully resolve infections. Enucleation may be necessary.
Control and Prevention
For prevention, monthly prophylaxis for heartworm is recommended for all cats but effectiveness against Onchocerca lupi infection is unknown.
Public Health Considerations
Zoonotic infections in humans have been reported involving the eyes, joints on the limbs, and upper cervical spine masses. The risk of infection by O. lupi is possible for individuals originating from or with travel history to the southwestern United States, Mariana Islands, Europe and the Mediterranean region, particularly Greece.
Continue reading public health considerations on capcvet.org
Sources
- capc-onchocerca-lupiCAPC · retrieved 2026-09-16
“CAPC Recommends Onchocerca lupi is a zoonotic filarial nematode found in ocular and adnexal tissues of dogs and cats. Dogs, cats and humans originating from” (Synopsis)
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