Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A case report: a dog with acute onset of Hepatozoon canis infection.
- Journal:
- The Journal of veterinary medical science
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Sakuma, Masato et al.
- Affiliation:
- Faculty of Agriculture · Japan
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A stray female beagle dog with an unknown age was taken to a veterinary clinic because she was showing signs of anemia, which means her blood had fewer red blood cells than normal. Blood tests showed she also had low platelet counts, high protein levels, and other abnormalities. The tests revealed that she was infected with a parasite called Hepatozoon canis, which was confirmed through advanced DNA testing. After receiving antibiotics, her symptoms improved. Hepatozoonosis in dogs is uncommon, but it's important for veterinarians to be aware that it can happen suddenly.
Abstract
We present a clinical overview of a dog with acute onset of Hepatozoon canis infection. A stray female beagle dog of unknown age was referred to Kagoshima University showing anemia. Blood tests revealed the presence of anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperproteinemia, polyclonal gammopathy, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated creatine kinase and alkaline phosphatase activities. In addition, capsule-like organisms were detected in the cytoplasm of approximately 50% of neutrophils in blood smears. H. canis infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing analyses. Amplified DNA fragments revealed 100% identity to the 18S ribosomal RNA gene of H. canis. The clinical symptoms improved after the administration of antibiotics. Hepatozoonosis in dogs is rare, but veterinarians should be alert to its possible acute onset.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19578300/