A case of feline sparganosis caused by Spirometra asiana (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) discovered during left forelimb amputation.

A large plerocercoid was incidentally found and removed during left forelimb amputation performed to treat a refractory wound in a cat rescued in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene identified the recovered worm as Spirometra asiana. This represents the first reported case of feline sparganosis caused by this species. Although the association between plerocercoid infection and the clinical signs remains unclear, outdoor cats may potentially harbor plerocercoids.