Haemothorax associated with Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a dog.
Angiostrongylosis was diagnosed in a dog presenting with haemothorax on the basis of detection of Angiostrongylus vasorum first-stage larvae both in the pleural effusion and in faeces. A one-year-old, male, mixed-breed dog was presented with fever, depression and persistent cough of one month's duration. Clinical examination revealed temperature of 39.5 degrees C, loud bronchovesicular sounds on thoracic auscultation and attenuated cardiac sounds. Thoracic radiographs showed a moderate bilateral pleural effusion and a diffuse interstitial pulmonary pattern, with an alveolar pattern in one lobe. Routine haematology revealed anaemia and leucocytosis with eosinophilia, basophilia and thrombocytopenia. Coagulation assays showed a consumptive coagulopathy resembling disseminated intravascular coagulation. The relationship between haemothorax and the presence of A vasorum larvae in the pleural effusion is discussed. The dog was successfully treated with fenbendazole until negative for larvae on faecal examination. This case report indicates that A vasorum infection should be considered as a possible aetiological cause of haemothorax in dogs.
Sasanelli
M
M
Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. Provinciale per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
Paradies
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Otranto
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Lia
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RP
de Caprariis
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D
D000801:Angiostrongylus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005273:Fenbendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006491:Hemothorax / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D005273:Fenbendazole