Rare case of Thelazia infection in a Jersey cow—a report from Andhra Pradesh, India

Thelazia spp. parasites are nematodes which are transmitted by arthropods causing ocular diseases in various domestic animals including humans. Adult worms are responsible for the development of clinical signs in mammals. A 6-year-old Jersey cross-bred cattle was presented to the Veterinary Hospital with bilateral lacrimation, and frequent rubbing of eyes on hard surfaces. Clinical examination revealed hyperemia of the conjunctiva and blepharospasm. The right eye showed the motile parasites at the inner canthus and was collected into normal saline. Confirmation of the Thelazia was done by the morphology of the worm by noticing the first-stage larva in ocular discharges. The cow was administered with eye drops containing gatifloxacin and ketorolac, and subcutaneous administration of levamisole and ivermectin. The present documentation reports a rare case of ocular thelaziosis in a cow from Andhra Pradesh, India.