Monoclonal gammopathy associated with heartworm disease in a dog.
A 12-year-old, intact female, mixed Yorkshire terrier was evaluated for syncopal episodes, weakness, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Heartworm disease was diagnosed based on evidence of circulating microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis on direct examination of blood smears and a positive SNAP heartworm antigen test. An immunoglobulin G (IgG) gammopathy, demonstrated by serum protein electrophoresis, was associated with heartworm disease in this dog. Response to treatment with both an adulticide and the microfilaricide ivermectin included remission of clinical signs and a decrease in the monoclonal gammopathy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an IgG gammopathy associated with heartworm disease in the dog.
de Caprariis
Donato
D
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima, Km. 3, Valenzano, Bari, 70010 Italy.
Sasanelli
Mariateresa
M
Paradies
Paola
P
Otranto
Domenico
D
Lia
Riccardo
R
D000818:Animals; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000276:immunology*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005369:Filaricides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005369:Filaricides; D007559:Ivermectin