Spirocercosis is a worldwide-distribution parasitic disease that occurs mainly in warm climates. Dogs often have a subclinical presentation; however, in a clinical presentation, the most common signs are regurgitation and vomiting. The objective of the present case is to present a dog with spirocercosis that had dysphagia as a primary sign.

A 7-year-old, male German shepherd dog was referred for endoscopic examination. The animal had chronic dysphagia and loss of weight. Referring veterinarian presumptive diagnosis was an esophageal foreign body. The radiographic views presented a radiopaque image compatible with a mass in the cranial esophagus just caudal to the upper esophageal sphincter. A fluoroscopy confirms the presence of a mass apparently in the esophageal wall that did not permit the passage of the bolus. Also, part of the contrast medium was observed passing into the trachea. Esophagoscopy allowed us to observe a mass suggestive of a nodule secondary to S. lupi. This nodule was found in the cranial esophagus and could not be biopsied. However, S. lupi eggs were observed in the fecal study. Milbemycin oxime was administered as treatment to which the patient responded favorably, and the swallowing process was returned and the patient started gaining weight.

In the present case, the patient had severe chronic dysphagia as a principal sign, which makes this case unusual. In this dog, dysphagia occurred because the nodule was formed in the cranial esophagus, which is also rare. Likewise, probably this position made it impossible to take a nodule endoscopic biopsy.