DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES AND TREATMENT OF 11 DOGS WITH PERITONEAL INFECTIONS CAUSED BY MESOCESTOIDES SPP

Dogs clinically affected with peritoneal infections caused by metacest odes of Mesocestoides spp usually are anorectic and have ascites and l eukocytosis. Diagnosis of the condition is made on the basis of recove ry of metacestodes from the peritoneal cavity of affected dogs. Tapewo rm larvae can be identified by using polymerase chain reaction amplifi cation of cestode DNA and subsequent detection of genus-specific restr iction fragment length polymorphisms. Praziquantel and albendazole are not effective treatments, but fenbendazole may successfully clear Mes ocestoides spp infections in dogs.