Mystery of the Sick Dogs Solved: Parasite Traced to Colorado River

For five years, a mysterious illness plagued dogs in Southern California. The culprit? Not another animal, but a parasite called the liver fluke lurking in the Colorado River near Blythe.

A Baffling Case:

11 dogs from Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange Counties fell ill between 2018 and 2023.
Symptoms included loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and liver issues.
The dogs’ owners had one thing in common: all had visited the Colorado River near Blythe.

The Elusive Culprit:

Professor Dillman and his team at UC Riverside identified the culprit as Heterobilharzia americana, a flatworm native to the South.
This marked the parasite’s first documented appearance in the California section of the Colorado River.

Transmission and Treatment:

The parasite transmits through snails found in the river.
Canine schistosomiasis, the disease caused by the parasite, can be fatal if untreated.
Antiparasitic drugs like praziquantel and fenbendazole can be effective.

The Mystery Deepens:

How the snails carrying the parasite arrived in California remains unknown.
Researchers suspect a possible connection to a 2018 outbreak in Moab, Utah, near the Colorado River.

Raising Awareness:

Public health officials urge dog owners to be aware of the parasite and its associated illness.
A simple fecal test can diagnose canine schistosomiasis.
If your dog experiences concerning symptoms after swimming in the Colorado River, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Protecting Our Pets: