title: Dilated cardiomyopathy and amebic gastritis in a giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla).
abstract: An approximately 11-mo-old female giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) exhibited anorexia, lethargy, hypothermia, depression, and minimal response to external stimuli. Radiography and ultrasonography revealed an enlarged heart, with free gas and fluid in the abdomen. Abdominocentesis produced a clear brown fluid with an acute to subacute septic suppurative exudate. Cardiac ultrasonography revealed a dilated, thin-walled left ventricle with a comparatively low fractional shortening. Despite intensive supportive care, the anteater died. Postmortem findings included gastric ulceration with perforation near the pylorus. Entameba spp. and Acanthamoeba spp. were both identified in large numbers at the site of the gastric ulceration and perforation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506, USA.
authors.forename: Rob L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Coke
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Tawfk
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aboellail
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Armbrust
authors.forename: Ramiro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isaza
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000562:Amebiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D019152:Paracentesis / Q000662:veterinary; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal / Q000662:veterinary; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D004490:Xenarthra / Q000469:parasitology