Wormopedia - Eyeworms

Eyeworm (Thelazia callipaeda) occurs in dogs, cats and humans in southern Europe and is transmitted by flies picking up the infection from the tears of animals and humans.

- AT RISK -

Eyeworms live in the tears of dogs and cats.

Symptoms

As the name suggests symptoms are generally confined to the eye area, but they can range from teariness, conjunctivitis and discharge to inflammation and ulcers on the cornea.

Lifecycle...

In both dogs and people, larvae (L3) mature into adult worms on the eye/under the eyelids; adults release first stage larvae (L1) into the tears

Fly feeds on dog's tears and transmits infective L3

L1 matures within fly to L2 and then L3 - this takes about 3 weeks

Fly picks up L1 while feeding on dog or human tears

Infection stages

It can take about 3 weeks from infection to the development of symptoms in dogs.

Risk to humans

Humans can occasionally become infected by the flies that spread the infection to pets.

Spread in Europe

Eyeworm is increasingly being found throughout Europe, notably in Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Eastern Europe.

How to get rid of them

A 'vet strength' wormer can be effective at treating eyeworm in dogs.