Cecocolic Intussusception Caused by Ancylostoma caninum Infection in a Dog

An eight-month-old, outdoor, intact male English Pointer dog weighing 23.5 kg presented to the hospital with signs of hematochezia, soft stools, and weight-loss. There were no remarkable findings on physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry, electrolyte and gas analysis, and radiography. The serologic and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for canine parvovirus were negative. A fecal smear examination showed rod-shaped, sporeforming bacteria. Additionally, a fecal flotation test showed ova of Ancylostoma spp. The size of ova was 60 × 40 ㎛, and it was identified as Ancylostoma caninum using light microscopy. The PCR test indicated a Clostridial perfringens infection and the presence of C. perfringens alpha toxin. The diagnosis given was C. perfringens enterotoxicosis with ancylostomiasis. Treatment included antibiotics (metronidazole, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) and anthelmintics (afoxolaner, milbemycin oxime). After two weeks, the clostridial infection resolved, but ancylostomiasis persisted for six weeks. The anthelmintic was changed to Drontal^â plus (praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate/febantel). After four weeks, there were no remarkable findings in the fecal samples, but the patient still presented with watery stools and hematochezia. Survey of abdominal ultrasound had performed, and a target-like sign with multiple rings was seen in the cecocolic region. The patient was diagnosed with A. caninum-induced cecocolic intussusception from the history and clinical signs. After a surgery, he recovered fully. This is the first clinical case report of Ancylostoma caninum parasitizing from the small intestine and causing an intussusception in the large intestine.