The eggs are ingested by a crayfish, then the crayfish is eaten by fish or frog. The definitive host is infected when it eats the fish or frog. The larvae penetrate the stomach and enter the abdominal cavity and sometimes kidney. Affected animals are frequently asymptomatic but may show peritonitis and ascites or signs of uremia. The diagnosis is made by identification of eggs in urine and an enlarged kidney on radiograph.
Treatment is a nephrectomy.
Capillaria plica are transmitted by earthworms and localize in the renal pelvis, ureter and bladder. The affected animal is generally asymptomatic. Eggs can be found in the urine. The treatment is albendazole.