Severe whipworm (Trichuris spp.) infection in the dromedary (Camelus dromedarius)

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2014 Mar;45(1):190-2. doi: 10.1638/2013-0155R1.1.

Abstract

One adult (13-yr-old) and two young (3-4-yr-old) male dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) from the Seoul Zoo displayed anorexia and chronic diarrhea for 2 wk. Direct fecal smear examination revealed Trichuris spp. infection. After confirmation of the infection, fenbendazole was orally administered as a suspension; this was repeated two times at 3-wk intervals. A high initial dose (20 mg/kg) was followed by administration at the recommended dose (10 mg/kg). Starting on the day following the first treatment, a large number of adult whipworms were discharged with the feces over a 3-day period. Two young male dromedary camels gradually recovered. However, the adult male dromedary camel developed continuous bloody mucoid diarrhea and died 2 days after treatment. Postmortem examination revealed that numerous whipworms were attached to the mucosa throughout the large intestine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Camelus*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fenbendazole / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Trichuriasis / parasitology
  • Trichuriasis / pathology
  • Trichuriasis / veterinary*
  • Trichuris / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Fenbendazole