LOWCOUNTRY DOG SAVED AFTER RARE THREE-FOOT WORMS FOUND DURING A SPAY-NEUTER SURGERY
Twiggy the dog was found running loose on Johns Island and brought to Charleston Animal Society
June 13, 2024 | NORTH CHARLESTON – A hound dog named Twiggy who was found running loose on Johns Island is recovering at Charleston Animal Society after rare, three-foot kidney worms (Dioctophyme renale) were found during a spay-neuter surgery.
“I was performing a routine spay when we saw a red tube-like object through the incision and were shocked when it turned out to be a worm that seemed to go on forever,” said Charleston Animal Society Senior Veterinarian Dr. Margie Morris. “This was just one of six giant kidney worms that we pulled out of Twiggy.”
The hound is recovering in an indoor-outdoor pen at the shelter. “The treatment for kidney worms is to remove them and treat any damage they may have caused while in the abdomen or kidneys,” said Morris.
Kidney worms most commonly enter a dog (or human’s) body through raw fish or frogs. Finding them is extremely rare. Once inside a body, they migrate to the kidneys and can eventually cause kidney failure.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Lucy Fuller plans to write a case study about Twiggy that may appear in a future scientific journal. “This is something that doesn’t happen every day,” Fuller said. A veterinarian who specializes in parasites assisted with the case and has asked to study samples of the kidney worms found in Twiggy.
Charleston Animal Society’s Sam Greer Spay-Neuter Clinic is accredited by AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association), representing the highest standards of veterinary excellence. The clinic performs more than 10,000 spay/neuter surgeries per year, utilizing up-to-date protocols and equipment.
The spay-neuter clinic employs fully licensed, highly trained veterinarians who treat every animal as if the pet were their own. “We are glad Twiggy is back outside enjoying the fresh air, we can’t wait until she finds a new, loving home,” Morris said.
Charleston Animal Society is currently overcrowded and is offering free adoptions on all adult dogs.
