HemoChat

Evidence-Based AI Medical Search

← Back to guidelines
Hematology113 papers

Disease caused by Dicrocoeliidae

Last edited: 4/15/2026

Overview

Dicrocoeliidae infections, commonly affecting tortoises, manifest as parasitic diseases characterized by hepatic and pancreatic involvement, leading to clinical signs such as lethargy, weight loss, and gastrointestinal disturbances 1.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Signs: Lethargy, weight loss, anorexia, and changes in fecal consistency 1.
  • Laboratory Tests: Hematology may show anemia or leukocytosis; biochemistry profiles might reveal liver enzyme elevations 1.
  • Parasitological Confirmation: Microscopic examination of fecal samples for ova or tissue biopsies for adult worms 1.
  • Imaging: Ultrasonography can detect hepatic lesions indicative of infection 1.

    • Management

  • Antiparasitic Therapy: Clorsulon or other benzimidazoles (specific doses not detailed in provided abstracts) 1.
  • Supportive Care: Fluid therapy, nutritional support, and monitoring of liver function 1.
  • Follow-Up: Regular parasitological testing to confirm clearance of infection 1.

    • Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Specific management strategies for pregnant tortoises are not detailed in the provided abstracts 1.
  • Pediatrics/Elderly: Age-specific considerations for treatment efficacy and tolerance are not addressed 1.
  • Comorbidities: Management adjustments for tortoises with concurrent diseases are not specified 1.

    • Key Recommendations

  • Perform comprehensive clinical and laboratory evaluations including hematology, biochemistry, and parasitological tests for accurate diagnosis (Evidence: Moderate 1).
  • Initiate antiparasitic treatment with benzimidazoles and provide supportive care tailored to clinical signs (Evidence: Expert opinion 1).
  • Monitor treated tortoises with follow-up parasitological assessments to ensure clearance of Dicrocoeliidae infection (Evidence: Moderate 1).

    • References

    1 Moller C, Heatley JJ. Diagnostic Clinical Pathology of Tortoises. The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice 2022. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Diagnostic Clinical Pathology of Tortoises. — Moller C, Heatley JJ The veterinary clinics of North America. Exotic animal practice (2022)
    Share:TwitterRedditLinkedIn

    HemoChat

    by SPINAI

    Evidence-based clinical decision support powered by SNOMED-CT, Neo4j GraphRAG, and NASS/AO/NICE guidelines.

    ⚕ For clinical reference only. Not a substitute for professional judgment.

    © 2026 HemoChat. All rights reserved.
    Research·Pricing·Privacy & Terms·Refund·SNOMED-CT · NASS · AO Spine · NICE · GraphRAG