Dirofilaria immitis in a River Otter (Lutra canadensis) from Louisiana

Abstract

A single adult male river otter (Lutra canadensis) from Louisiana was found naturally infected with Dirofilaria immitis. One adult male nematode was found in the heart; lesions attributable to the presence of the parasite were not found. This is the first report of D. immitis in the river otter in North America.