An Autopsy Survey on The Pathoanatomical Forms of Canine Spirocercosis in Tanzania

Abstract

Necropsy records of I04 dogs autopsied in the department over a period of 5 years (1988- 1993) were reviewed for purpose of assessing the frequency and pathoanatomical patterns of spirocercosis in dogs in Tanzania. Records showed that spirocercosis accounted for 18.3% of all cases examined post mortem at our department. With regard to pathoanatomical diversity of lesions, it was found out that 52.6% of the spirocercosis cases with classic benign pyogranulomas beset intramurally within the oesophageal walls. Cases of fatal aortic rupture with hemothorax were recorded in 21.1% of the cases. In addition there was recorded one case (5.3%) that presented with a mixture of pyothorax and hemothorax due to perforations in both the aorta and oesophagus. Characteristic occluding fibrosarcomas protruding into the lumen were seen in another 21 cases. This is the first   report on the   profile of Spirocerca  lupi induced lesions in dogs in Tanzania.