Feline heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection is an uncommon but clinically significant disease in Korea. A retrospective review of electronic medical records from a secondary referral animal hospital in Ulsan, Korea, identified 2 antigen-positive (1.5%) cases among 130 stray cats tested between 2019 and 2023, while no infections were detected in 298 client-owned cats. As antigen testing may yield false-negative results in cats with male-only infections, the true prevalence is likely underestimated. This report describes the clinical and echocardiographic findings of 2 infected stray cats. Case 1 involved successful long-term management of heartworm-associated respiratory disease, with the cat remaining healthy for 4 years following diagnosis. Case 2 demonstrated persistent evidence of adult heartworms and sudden death after an asymptomatic period of 1 year. Echocardiography in Case 2 revealed multiple hyperechoic double lines within the pulmonary arteries, consistent with intraluminal adult worms. These cases illustrate the diagnostic challenges and variable clinical outcomes of feline heartworm infection, emphasizing the need for increased awareness in Korea.

Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae), a parasitic eye worm causing thelaziasis has been reported in humans and dogs in Korea. However, its occurrence in other potential reservoir hosts, including wild animals, remains unclear. In the present study, we described the 2 cases of thelaziasis from both of feral and captive wild animal in Korea. In August and November 2017, 2 cases of the parasitic infections were found in the third eyelid of rescued leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis and reared raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides at the Chungnam Wild Animal Rescue Center. A total of 20 and 24 worms were detected from the left and right eyes of leopard cat, respectively. In the left eye of the raccoon dog, 5 worms were recognized. Male worms were 969–11,860 μm long (10,600 μm on average) and 300–320 μm width (315 μm on average). Female worms were 13,430–15,330 (14,480) μm long and 320–370 (344) μm wide in size. They commonly had a characteristic scalariform buccal cavity and short esophagus. The vulva openings were located at the anterior of esophago-intestinal junction in females. The thelaziasis is reported in 2 species of wildlife, P. bengalensis and N. procyonoides, for the first time in Korea.