Dracunculus insignis infection in a dog

Painful, fluctuant subcutaneous swellings on the limbs of a dog were attributed to infection with Dracunculus insignis. The diagnosis was obtained by finding larvae in fluid aspirated from the swellings and by identification of the adult female nematodes after they were surgically removed. Six weeks after initial examination, another adult nematode was removed from the subcutaneous tissues of the thorax. Although uncommon, D insignis infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous swellings.     

Massive cystic tetrathyridiosis in a dog

This report describes a case of massive cystic tetrathyridiosis in a four-year-old female dobermann. The larvae were distributed in both the peritoneal and pleural cavities, as well as in the lumen of the small intestine along with adult Mesocestoides species. These parasites were identified as tetrathyridia. Numerous cysts were dispersed on the peritoneal, pleural and mesenteric surfaces. The same cysts were seen both on subcapsular surfaces and within sections of the spleen, liver, kidneys and lungs. Histopathological examination also revealed characteristics of tetrathyridium of Mesocestoides species.     

Anatrichosoma sp infection in a dog

Embryonated, double-operculated eggs were observed during routine examination of a fecal specimen from a 5-month-old dog. Similar eggs were found on a skin scraping of a raised, flaking, erythematous nodule on the dorsal midline in the lumbar region. Eggs were identified as being similar to those of Anatrichosoma spp. After surgical excision, histologic examination of the nodule revealed nematodes with morphologic features consistent with those of Anatrichosoma spp.     

Macracanthorhynchus ingens infection in a dog

A 4-month-old sexually intact female Siberian Husky was examined because of diarrhea and 4 flesh-colored annulated helminths that were recovered from the dog's feces. Infection with Macracanthorhynchus ingens was diagnosed on the basis of morphologic features of the adult parasites and ova. Spindle-shaped eggs (mean length, 91 microm; mean width; 54 microm) were obtained from the body cavity of a gravid female specimen. The dog was treated empirically with epsiprantel (5.5 mg/kg [2.5 mg/lb] of body weight) and ivermectin (250 to 500 microg/kg [114 to 227 microg/lb]), and the diarrhea resolved. Infection with this parasite has been reported in raccoons from the same geographic area. Macracanthorhynchus ingens is typically a parasite of raccoons, wolves, badgers, foxes, skunks, mink, and moles; transmission from wildlife to dogs may occur via ingestion of infected intermediate hosts (millipedes).     

Heterobilharzia americana infection in a dog

A 7-year-old castrated male Golden Retriever cross was evaluated because of intermittent blood-tinged diarrhea, severe weight loss, anorexia, and lethargy of 2 months' duration; the dog was unresponsive to antimicrobial and standard anthelmintic treatment. Results of fecal flotations for parasite ova were negative. Alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities and total protein and globulin conentrations were greater than reference ranges. Biopsy specimens were obtained during laparotomy and examination revealed multiple granulomatous lesions with helminth ova nidi in the intestine, pancreas, liver, and mesenteric lymph node. Saline solution direct smear and saline solution sedimentation of feces yielded trematode ova that were morphologically consistent with Heterobilharzia americana. Identification was confirmed when miracidia were hatched from these ova and produced characteristic cercariae from infected snails. An antigen capture ELISA, typically used for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis in humans, was performed, and schistosome circulating anodic antigen was detected. Treatment with 30 mg of praziquantel/kg (14 mg/lb) of body weight stopped ova shedding, removed detectable circulating antigens, and caused the dog's body weight and attitude to return to normal. Although this is the first report of canine heterobilharziasis in North Carolina, it suggests that heterobilharziasis is underdiagnosed in dogs that have contact with water frequented by raccoons. Inappropriate diagnostic procedures can foil accurate detection of this parasitic disease.     

Mycobacterium avium infection in a dog

A 5-year old, spayed, mongrel was presented with intractable diarrhoea. Histopathologic examination of biopsy specimens taken during exploratory laparotomy revealed acid-fast organisms in the spleen, caecum, and colon. The dog was subsequently destroyed. At post-mortem, lesions were also observed in the liver and lymph nodes. Mycobacterium avium was cultured from splenic tissue. Infection of dogs with this organism is rare and the clinical picture described unusual.     

Aspergillus niger pulmonary infection in a dog

A 6-month-old male golden retriever was presented with fever, bloody-watery diarrhea and mild cough. Parvovirus and Isospora canis infection was confirmed and successfully treated. Two weeks later, the dog had severe cough and mucopurulent nasal discharge. Aspergillus niger was cultured from endotracheal washings on blood agar at 37 degrees C. Treatment with itraconazole for about 10 weeks resolved the clinical signs.     

Atypical Histoplasma capsulatum infection in a dog

Disseminated histoplasmosis was diagnosed in a 10-year-old dog suspected of having hepatic carcinoma. Clinical abnormalities included diffuse hepatomegaly, gastrointestinal bleeding, thoracic and abdominal effusion, anemia, leukocytosis, and thrombocytopenia. Histoplasmosis characteristically is a disease of the mononuclear phagocyte system, but in this case was diagnosed by finding Histoplasma capsulatum organisms in neutrophils on the blood smear.     

Pulmonary Mycobacterium bovis infection in a dog

AIM: To describe the clinical course of a dog infected with Mycobacterium bovis causing a granulomatous pneumonia. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The dog initially presented with a persistent cough, inappetence and weight loss. Clinical findings included a fever, dyspnoea and tachypnoea, with haematological evidence of a mild neutrophilia and hypoalbuminaemia. Radiographs of the chest demonstrated a concomitant pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and a consolidated area within the left caudal lung lobe. An exploratory thoracotomy revealed this to be a ruptured granulomatous lesion. Subsequent histopathological, microbiological and genetic studies identified M. bovis as the causal agent. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mycobacterium bovis infections should be included in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary disease and pleural effusions in dogs living in regions of New Zealand known to have a high incidence of mycobacterial infection in wildlife and farm animals.     

Transfusion-associated Babesia gibsoni infection in a dog

A 2.5-year-old spayed female German Shepherd Dog was referred for evaluation of progressive anemia, lethargy, and weight loss. Seventeen days earlier, the dog had received a whole blood transfusion to manage hemorrhage after ovariohysterectomy. Mild fever, splenomegaly, and thrombocytopenia were also identified. Von Willebrand disease and Babesia gibsoni infection were diagnosed. Because of the serologic cross-reactivity of B gibsoni and B canis in the immunofluorescent antibody assay for IgG antibodies against these organisms, polymerase chain reaction amplification of parasite DNA was required to identify the infecting Babesia sp. The source of the B gibsoni infection was traced to an apparently healthy American Pit Bull Terrier blood donor. Despite resolution of clinical signs in the dog of this report, a series of antiparasitic treatments failed to eliminate the B gibsoni infection. Screening of potential blood donor dogs for Babesia spp is becoming increasingly important in the United States.