Three cases of imported eyeworm infection in dogs: a new threat for the United Kingdom

Abstract

In July 2016 we described the first known case of canine ocular thelaziosis in the UK in a dog recently imported from Romania. Here we confirm our initial diagnosis using PCR followed by sequence analysis, and we report a further two clinical cases in dogs with recent history of travel to Italy and France. In view of the presence in the UK of the vector for <i>Thelazia callipaeda</i>, namely <i>Phortica</i> spp, we discuss the significance of these three cases in the context of the UK government's pet travel scheme, disease control and both animal and public health in the UK.