Dracunculus insignis infection in a dog.

Painful, fluctuant subcutaneous swellings on the limbs of a dog were attributed to infection with Dracunculus insignis. The diagnosis was obtained by finding larvae in fluid aspirated from the swellings and by identification of the adult female nematodes after they were surgically removed. Six weeks after initial examination, another adult nematode was removed from the subcutaneous tissues of the thorax. Although uncommon, D insignis infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous swellings.